Typhoon Soudelor Hits Taiwan Leaving at Least 4 People Dead

Typhoon Soudelor has hit Taiwan with strong winds and heavy rain, leaving at least four people dead.

The powerful typhoon – with winds of more than 142mph – made landfall on the eastern coast early on Saturday and is now moving across the island.

Soudelor is ripping up trees and tearing down billboards, and triggered a landslide in at least one village.

About two million households have been left without electricity.

Rail services and flights have been cancelled and all schools and offices closed.

According to Taiwan’s weather bureau, the typhoon is moving north-west, gradually losing its strength.

Among the victims were an eight-year-old girl and her mother who were swept out to sea.

Ahead of Soudelour’s arrival, the authorities evacuated thousands of people from their homes.

Typhoon Soudelor is later expected to move into the Taiwan Strait and on to mainland China.