Oman evacuated as Cyclone Gonu nears

Oman evacuated tens of thousands today and closed the major port of Sohar as a weakening Cyclone Gonu roared toward the Strait of Hormuz - the world's major transport artery for Persian Gulf oil.

As heavy rains lashed coastal areas, authorities closed all operations at the port of Sohar and evacuated the 11,000 workers, said port spokesman Dirk Jan De Vink.