Typhoon Hato Kills Eight, Injures Hundreds in Macau
Macau's chief executive, Chui Sai On, pledged Aug. 24 that the government would work diligently alleviate the damage caused by the strong typhoon and help residents resume their normal lives as quickly as possible.
Typhoon Hato struck Macau on Aug. 23, killing eight people died and injuring about 240 others, Macau's Government Information Bureau reported. Its report said the chief executive, Chui Sai On, pledged Aug. 24 that the government would work diligently alleviate the damage caused by the strong typhoon and help residents resume their normal lives as quickly as possible. Las Vegas' Review-Journal newspaper reported U.S. casino companies were still assessing damage to their Macau operations.
During an evening news conference at government headquarters, Chui said he was fully confident the city will overcome the challenges created by the typhoon. The press conference started with a one-minute moment of silence in tribute to those who died in the storm, the bureau reported.
Its report also said Chui announced he had accepted the resignation – due to personal reasons – on Aug. 24 from the director of the Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau, Fong Soi Kun.
Chui said, as a resident himself, he shared the sense of grief and anxiety of the general public, having witnessed the destruction wrought by the typhoon and the interruption of power, water, and mobile communication services it caused. He thanked law enforcement officers and firefighters; medical personnel woh treated people injured during the disaster; those who provide needed emergency services during and after the event; and volunteers offering assistance to many people in the community facing various challenges.