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Hundreds of Hong Kong flights grounded as typhoon hits

About 900 hundred flights were grounded affecting 100,000 passengers as a deadly typhoon swept through Hong Kong after killing dozens of people in the Philippines.

Typhoon Mangkhut is now sweeping into mainland China after wreaking buildings and effectively shutting down Hong Kong, with transport services suspended, trains stopped and major roads closed.

The typhoon is one of the most powerful storms to strike the region in decades, injuring at least 200 in Hong Kong as winds speeds reached more than 110mph.

Residents were warned to stay indoors and away from windows and flying debris.

Cathay Pacific said: “Following super typhoon Mangkhut impacting Hong Kong this weekend, we are now reporting a gradual return to scheduled flight operations from this morning (Monday).”

But the carrier warned that the resumption of services is likely to be “very slow” and still subject to weather conditions and other operational constraints.

This could lead to continued delays and some cancellations.

“Please expect long queues at the airport for check-in, baggage drop and immigration,” the airline warned.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said warned of “significant ongoing disruption” to air travel as well as other modes of transport in Hong Kong.

“You should follow advice of local authorities about disruption to travel and services,” the FCO advised.

Most of the deaths in the main Philippine island of Luzon over the weekend came as a result of landslides, with dozens of people still missing.

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