Typhoon hits Hong Kong and China after causing deaths in Taiwan and Philippines

Strong waves crash against the waterfront in Hong Kong (Chan Long Hei/AP)

One of the strongest typhoons in years has lifted waves taller than lampposts onto Hong Kong promenades and halted life on the southern Chinese coast after causing deadly destruction in Taiwan and the Philippines.

In Taiwan, 14 people died in a flooded town, and 10 deaths were reported in the Philippines.