Dozens of Hong Kong tourists stuck in Okinawa seek help from city authorities as Typhoon Khanun knocks out power, disrupts flights

Dozens of Hongkongers stranded in Okinawa have appealed for help from immigration authorities after Typhoon Khanun caused widespread travel and power disruptions in the Japanese prefecture, while some residents were left in a hotel without electricity.

Forty-three residents had contacted Hong Kong’s Immigration Department as of 10am on Thursday and requested help finding transport and accommodation, but were reported to be safe, the government said.

Typhoon Khanun, which is named after the Thai word for jackfruit, on Wednesday knocked out electricity to more than 200,000 households in Japan’s southwestern prefecture. The area is a popular tourist destination for Hongkongers.

Gianna Hsu Wong Mei-lun, the chairwoman of the Travel Industry Council, said that two tours, involving 50 to 60 people, had their return from Okinawa to Hong Kong delayed due to the typhoon. She said they would be back in the city on Thursday evening.

Hsu added two other tours, also involving about 50 to 60 people, had been cancelled because of the storm.

Hong Kong-based EGL Tours told the Post that 74 travellers on three of its trips were stuck in a hotel without electricity after the storm knocked out power lines in the area.

It was not immediately clear whether any of the 74 travellers were among those who had contacted Hong Kong’s immigration authorities.

“The travellers obviously cannot go out onto the street. We have made the hotel stay free for those affected and are taking care of them,” said EGL Tours executive director Steve Huen Kwok-chuen.