Typhoon Gaemi Causes Havoc in Taiwan Strait, Stranding Freighters and Triggering Rescue Efforts

Taiwan's coast guard is engaged in rescuing sailors stranded off the southern coast after Typhoon Gaemi sank a freighter and grounded eight others. The powerful storm killed at least one, left several missing, injured over 500, and caused significant flooding and disruption in southern Taiwan.

Taiwan's coast guard launched efforts on Friday to rescue dozens of sailors stranded off the southern coast. This follows the havoc wreaked by Typhoon Gaemi, which sank a freighter and grounded eight others in the Taiwan Strait. The powerful typhoon, packing gusts of up to 227 kph (141 mph), swept through Taiwan on Thursday before moving westward to China, where heavy rain is anticipated.

According to coast guard officials, one crew member perished, four were rescued, and four remain missing after a Tanzania-flagged cargo ship sank near Taiwan's Kaohsiung port. A total of seventy-nine crew members from the grounded freighters await rescue, while nine more were saved earlier from a Togo-flagged vessel.

Ocean Affairs Council Minister Kuan Bi-ling, overseeing the coast guard, reported on Facebook about the challenges facing rescue teams, who have ventured within a nautical mile of the stranded ships despite five-meter high waves. She noted the unprecedented number of freighters affected by the typhoon and promised continued rescue operations.

The storm's impact on Taiwan was severe, dumping over 1,800 mm (70.8 inches) of rain in southern mountains and causing flash flooding that has since mostly receded. More than 500 people were injured, five fatalities occurred, and rescuers evacuated over 300 people from floodwaters. Businesses and schools in southern Taiwan remained closed for the third consecutive day.

(With inputs from agencies.)