Flights, ferries halted as Typhoon Conson nears south China

HAIKOU, July 16 (Xinhua) -- More than 150 people were stranded Friday at a port in south China's Hainan Province after shipping services and flights were halted as Typhoon Conson crept toward the island.



Services linking Xiuying Port, in Hainan's Haikou City, to other parts of China were halted at 5 p.m. Thursday, said Mo Guangzhao, customer services manager of the Haikou Gangwu Xiuying Ferry Company.

Local passengers went home, but more than 150 passengers from other cities were still in the waiting room, he said.

The company had given them food and water.

Conson is expected to make landfall in Hainan late Friday or early Saturday, according to the provincial flood control headquarters.

However, the typhoon's center could also brush past Hainan, said the headquarters.

Source: Xinhua News