27 dead, dozens missing as typhoon batters Vietnam
DANANG: At least 27 people have died and nearly two dozen are missing after Typhoon Damrey barrelled into Vietnam, authorities said yesterday, damaging tens of thousands of homes and submerging highways days before the country welcomes world leaders to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit.
The storm, which made landfall on Saturday, is the worst in decades to strike the country’s southern coastal region, an area normally spared the typhoons that usually hit further north.
More than 40,000 homes were damaged as heavy rains and 130kph winds tore through the area, said the government.
Coastal Khanh Hoa province, home to the popular white sand Nha Trang beach, was the hardest hit with 16 dead and 10 hurt.
More than 30,000 people, including foreign tourists, were evacuated from the area ahead of the storm. Some 300 ships were wrecked.
Local authorities said Tuy Hoa city had never suffered such devastation before. There were also reports of minor damage in this coastal city, which will host the Apec summit next weekend. A resident said strong winds and rain had torn down signs promoting the gathering.
“Now, city people are joining hands with authorities to clean up the mess to make the city look nicer for the Apec week,” said Tran Huy, as dark clouds loomed above. AFP