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Typhoon Jebi: death toll rises as speed boats evacuate thousands stranded at Japan’s Kansai airport

At least 11 people dead and more than 200 injured as authorities begin to clean up in aftermath of most powerful storm to hit Japan in 25 years

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Traffic boards and telecommunication relay poles were brought down by Typhoon Jebi in Osaka. Photo: AFP
Agencies

One of Japan’s busiest airports will remain closed for around a week, airport officials say, a day after the strongest typhoon to hit Japan in at least 25 years flooded a runway, toppled huge cranes, flipped cars on their side, damaged historic shrines and caused at least 11 deaths as it swept across part of Japan’s main island.

About 3,000 people stranded at Kansai International Airport were being transported out via a high-speed boat as authorities sought to clean up the devastation left behind by Typhoon Jebi.

Dozens of Hongkongers were among those left stranded after extreme weather unleashed by the storm shut down the airport – Japan’s third busiest – and caused a ship to smash into a bridge.

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The typhoon left more than 470 people injured.

Kansai International Airport is partly inundated after Typhoon Jebi. Photo: AP
Kansai International Airport is partly inundated after Typhoon Jebi. Photo: AP
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At least 70 Hongkongers in several tour groups were stuck in Osaka, the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong said.

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