TAIPEI: Typhoon Kong-rey has claimed the life of one foreign national in Nantou County as authorities evacuated thousands of people to safe shelters and closed schools and businesses across the island, local media reported on Thursday. Typhoon Kong-rey made landfall Thursday afternoon, wreaking havoc across Taiwan with strong winds and heavy rain, causing landslides, blowing over streetlights and trees, and flooding streets, reports Focus Taiwan. According to Anadolu Agency, 73 people have been injured in rain- and flood-related accidents, and authorities have evacuated nearly 10,000 people to shelters. The Central Weather Administration said super Typhoon Kong-rey is the largest cyclone to hit Taiwan in 27 years, with the last typhoon of comparable strength being Typhoon Herb in 1996. Authorities confirmed contact with two missing Czech tourists, who are safe. Local authorities evacuated residents to safe places in New Taipei, Tainan, and Kaohsiung, as well as in Hsinchu, Nantou, Pingtung, Yilan, Hualien, and Taitung counties. The typhoon also forced the cancellation of 527 domestic and international flights. Earlier, authorities announced the closure of workplaces and schools across the island due to the approaching storm, advising people to stay at home. Banks and financial markets were also directed to remain closed due to severe weather conditions. Essential services, including police, fire services, utilities, and emergency services at hospitals, remained open to the public. On Tuesday, Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration rescued 17 crew members from a Chinese-registered cargo ship. In the Philippines, the weather agency lowered the storm alert in Batanes, the country's northernmost province, anticipating a weakening of the storm in the next 12 hours. Nathaniel Servando, head of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration, noted that the super typhoon has maintained its strength while moving northwestward near Batanes, as reported by the Manila Times.