3 US military officials feared dead as deadly typhoon tears into Japan

According to information received, Typhoon Phanfone slammed into Japan on Monday, packing gusting winds and accompanied by huge waves.

It has been learnt that winds of up to 180 kilometres per hour whipped ashore, bringing heavy rain in the country’s eastern coast.

The storm whirled over Tokyo at around 11:00 am (Japan time) and then headed northeast, dumping rain further up the coast of Honshu while its eye moved out over the Pacific Ocean.

Seven people were left dead or missing, including the three US military officials who had been photographing the storm, Japanese police and coast guards have been quoted as saying.

Media reported that the strong winds swept three US military officials out to sea.

More than 600 flights have been cancelled due to Typhoon Phanfone.  Bullet train services have also been halted leaving travelers stranded in stations.

More than 50,000 people were ordered to evacuate their homes, while around 1.7 million others were advised to take refuge, local authorities said.

The weather agency warned that even as the storm passed out to sea landslides and floods were still a risk in a country where a relatively wet summer brought numerous landslides, including in Hiroshima where more than 70 people died.

The incident comes a week after a volcano erupted without any warning in Mount Ontake that killed dozens of hikers.

The volcano was packed with walkers when it burst angrily to life on September 27, with many there to witness the spectacular colours of the countryside as summer turned to autumn.

Till now, the death toll in Mount Ontake reached 51.