Typhoon Lashes Hong Kong Expatriate Pulled From Sea, Later Dies; Transportation Disrupted By Victor’s Clout

Typhoon Victor weakened into a severe tropical storm Saturday night after disrupting air, land and sea transport in Hong Kong. One man was killed and 33 people injured.

By late Saturday night, the storm was about 30 miles northwest of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Observatory said.

It was moving north of the Chinese city of Shenzhen at 14 mph.

Police said a man died after he and two other people were swept into the sea in Stanley village, an area in southern Hong Kong noted for its beaches.

The three were pulled from the sea by firemen but the man, an expatriate, died later at a hospital. Police did not disclose his name or nationality.

A government statement said only 11 of the injured were hospitalized, most with minor injuries from flying glass or falling objects.

Packing winds of up to 75 mph, Typhoon Victor ripped off signboards and building scaffolding in Hong Kong. No major damage was reported.

Shops, schools and banks closed early. Public transportation was curtailed, and ferry services to mainland China and the neighboring Portuguese enclave of Macau were suspended.

Officials said 181 flights at Hong Kong airport were delayed, canceled or diverted.

Fishing boats sought shelters in the harbor.

The government said some flooding would be expected in rural areas bordering China because of overflowing water from the reservoir in Shenzhen.

The government opened 37 shelters for people seeking refugee from the storm.