For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails
Sign up to our free breaking news emails
At least eight people have died and scores more have been injured after the strongest typhoon to hit Japan in 25 years made landfall.
More than one million people were ordered to evacuate and nearly 800 flights were cancelled as the powerful storm hit the country with winds of up to 129mph (208km/h).
Typhoon Jebi, named after the Korean word for “swallow” in Korean, was briefly classed as a super typhoon.
In the hard-hit city of Osaka, high seas have poured into Kansai International Airport, flooding one of its two runways and cargo storage facilities and forcing the airport to shut down.
Wind gusts of up to 129mph were recorded in one part of Shikoku, the smallest main island, with forecasts for gusts as high as 135mph (216km/h).
Please allow a moment for the live blog to load
Typhoon Jebi: Extremely strong winds and heavy rain hit Japan
Show all 20
It is the latest harsh weather event to hit Japan this summer following rains, landslides, floods and record-breaking heat that killed hundreds of people.
About 2,650 people are currently stranded at Osaka's Kansai International Airport, according to the Japan Times.
The airport has been forced to close and more than 700 flights have been cancelled after high seas flooded the runways and cargo storage areas.
Earlier a 2,591-tonne tanker that was mooring slammed into the side of a bridge connecting the airport to the mainland, damaging part of the bridge and the vessel.
Flights are not expected to resume at the airport until Wednesday evening at the earliest.
In Nishinomiya in Hyogo prefecture, about 100 cars at a seaside dealership were in flames after their electrical systems were shorted out by sea water, fire officials and news reports said.
Typhoon Jebi was moving off the northern coast of Fukui on Tuesday evening, with sustained winds of 78mph and gusts up to 110mph, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.
The death toll from the typhoon, which is thought to be the strongest to make landfall in Japan in 25 years, has increased to eight. Scores more are injured.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments