Macau leader apologises, weather chief resigns after worst storm in half century leaves eight dead

Macau’s leader on Thursday made a public apology and announced the resignation of the casino hub’s weather chief after the worst storm to hit the former Portuguese enclave in more than half a century left eight people dead, more than 200 injured, and tens of thousands without power or water.

Eight more were reported killed in the mainland province of Guangdong, taking the death toll to 16, a day after Hong Kong managed to escape the onslaught of Typhoon Hato without fatalities.

Macau Chief Executive Fernando Chui Sai-on admitted that his administration had been ill prepared for the “catastrophic” impact of the storm.

“Typhoon Hato is the strongest storm in 53 years and has caused massive damage,” he said.

“What is more distressing is that eight residents are dead, and more than 200 residents were injured ... I offer my deepest condolences to the victims and their families.