Typhoon slams into Japan

At least nine people were killed and nine others were missing in western Japan today after Typhoon Etau slammed into the country, bringing heavy rain that triggered floods and landslides.

The typhoon left eight people dead in Hyogo state, police official Shigekazu Kamenobu said. He said many were caught in raging waters.

“At least one man was swept away in a river while he was in a car. His body was later found inside the vehicle,” Mr Kamenobu said.

Nine others were missing in Hyogo, in the western part of Japan’s main island, police said. About 2,200 people were evacuated from homes and stayed at public schools there.

A woman was also found dead in her house that was destroyed by a landslide in neighbouring Okayama state, police official Wataru Yamamoto said.

Japan’s Meteorological Agency warned of heavy precipitation and landslides in eastern Japan as Etau heads north.