Two people have been killed by a landslide in Taiwan triggered by heavy rain from Typhoon Megi. Many tourists were trapped including 120 from the Chinese mainland. Taiwan is also issuing land and sea typhoon warnings.

 

Taiwan media reports say a landslide triggered by heavy rain from Typhoon Megi hit a more than 400 meter-long section of the road from Yilan county to Hualian city in the northeastern mountainous area.

A mini bus was washed off the road and down the mountain. A following tourists' bus was then completely buried by mud and rocks. Out of 21 people on the bus, 19 escaped. But a local driver and a tourists' team leader from the mainland died. One person was badly injured and another suffered minor injuries.

The landslide also trapped many other vehicles, including 6 buses carrying 120 tourists from the Chinese mainland. Rescue work is underway.

Meanwhile, Taiwan has issued land and sea warnings as Typhoon Megi heads towards Guangdong Province on the Chinese mainland. Record rainfall has already hit northeastern parts of the Taiwan island.

Suao Township in Yilan County saw over 800 millimeters of rain in a single day on Thursday.

A Taiwan resident said, "I never saw such heavy rain. I have lived here for 20 to 30 years. No such thing ever happened before."

Winds have been peaking at 175 kilometers an hour, and more than 40 of Taiwan's rivers have been issued with severe landslide warnings. Roads and bridges are closed across the region, causing traffic jams. Some railways are buried and almost all train operations are affected. Trains running between the north and south are forced to turn back.

At least two counties have closed schools and businesses. The local governments are evacuating residents.

Weather forecasts says huge winds and big waves will hit the coastal areas of Penghu Islands and the Kimmen Island, which is near the Chinese mainland. Some passenger ships between Taiwan and the mainland were suspended on Thursday.