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Osaka airport: Boats used to rescue thousands trapped in flooded airport

Thousands of passengers stranded at Osaka’s Kansai international airport have been evacuated following the worst storm to hit Japan in 25 years.

Travellers stranded were being ferried by boat to another local airport after runways and basements were flooded as Typhoon Jebi struck killing at least nine people across the country.

Jebi left a trail of destruction across the west of Japan, hitting major cities like Kyoto and Osaka, and leading to flights, trains and ferries being cancelled.

Nearly 800 flights were grounded, including international flights at Osaka and Nagoya.

As many as 3,000 people had been stranded at Osaka’s international airport, which is built on an artificial island, after a tanker crashed into the bridge connecting it with the mainland.

The airport will remain closed all today, the BBC reported.

More than two million households suffered blackouts during the storm and schools and companies in the affected area remained shut.

The winds are slowing down and moving north, but people are being urged to stay alert for landslides and floods.

Evacuation advisories had been issued for more than 1.2 million people as of Wednesday morning local time.

More than 30,000 people were given stronger but still not mandatory evacuation orders, Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency said.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said in an updated travel advisory: “Wide areas of Western Japan are experiencing transport disruption in the wake of Typhoon Jebi. Kansai International airport was closed and all flights cancelled on 4th September. As of 5th September, no plans to resume service have been announced.

“If you are planning to travel through the affected areas, or use the airport, you should follow the advice of local authorities, transportation services and check with your airlines.”

The FCO added: “Typhoon Jebi brought heavy rain, flooding and strong winds to wide areas of western Japan and is forecast to affect northern and eastern regions of Japan through September 5.

“There has been significant disruption to transport links, including Kansai International airport and bullet train services.

“If you’re in affected areas or planning to travel, you should monitor the news and follow the advice of local authorities and transportation services.”

The typhoon follows wide areas of central and western Japan being affected by flooding in July.

“You should check transport information in case of disruption and follow the advice of local authorities while travelling in the area,” the FCO advised.

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