How Did Typhoon Champi Kill 1 Person and Injure 527 in Taiwan?

Quick answer: Typhoon Champi swept past Taiwan on Saturday 24 October 2026, killing one person and injuring 527, as heavy wind and torrential rain downed trees, cut power and disrupted travel across the north and centre of the island.

Key facts

• What: Typhoon Champi passing Taiwan
• Where: Taiwan, with the closest approach off the north-eastern coast in Yilan County
• When: Saturday 24 October 2026
• Casualties: 1 killed and 527 injured, according to Taiwan's fire department
• Storm strength: Once a super typhoon and one of the strongest storms in the Pacific this year, still packing gusts of around 126 kilometres per hour near its centre as it weakened

What happened

Typhoon Champi was about 150 kilometres east of Taiwan when it glanced off the island's north-eastern coast in Yilan County early on Saturday. The centre of the storm then turned south around midnight, hugging the Yilan coastline before making a rare loop offshore and moving northward away from the island.

The loop brought gusts of about 227 kilometres per hour in some coastal areas, knocking down power lines and sending roof tiles flying. A retired teacher surnamed Lin, inspecting downed banana trees in his garden in Yilan, said: "It was most terrifying around midnight. It was a sleepless night. I haven't seen anything like this in many years."

Casualties and damage

Taiwan's fire department said the death toll remained at one, a man swept away by waves from the island of Liuqiu, with 527 injuries recorded during the heavy wind and torrential rain.

Power supplier Taipower said more than 288,000 homes had lost electricity at one point, although most had been reconnected. In the capital Taipei there were downed trees and on-off squally rain showers, and a swathe of northern and central Taiwan, including Taipei, declared a second day of office and school closures on Saturday.

Travel disruption

The transport ministry said 242 flights were cancelled on Saturday, an improvement on Friday, when the number was almost 1,000.

What happens next

The storm's forecast track showed it turning north, tracking up the Chinese coast and eventually moving into southern Japan, although it was not expected to make landfall in China.

China's emergency management ministry sent a team to the eastern province of Zhejiang as Champi approached, warning of strong winds and heavy rain through Sunday. It said 400 rescue workers and 600 pieces of equipment had been readied, while more than 41,000 firefighters were on emergency duty.

In Taizhou, a city on Zhejiang's coast, more than 3,800 fishing boats returned to harbour, offshore fish-farm workers were brought ashore and 2,084 island visitors were evacuated. Authorities halted 25 offshore construction projects and suspended 18 passenger ferry routes.

Taiwan is generally well prepared for typhoons, which keeps casualties low, although the storms can strike in autumn as well as summer.

Source: CNA / Reuters, 24 October 2026.

Frequently asked questions

How many people died and how many were injured in Typhoon Champi in Taiwan?

One person died, a man swept away by waves from the island of Liuqiu, and 527 people were injured during the heavy wind and torrential rain, according to Taiwan's fire department.

Where did Typhoon Champi come closest to Taiwan?

The storm glanced off the island's north-eastern coast in Yilan County early on Saturday 24 October 2026, then made a rare loop offshore before moving northward away from the island.

How strong was Typhoon Champi?

Champi was once a super typhoon and one of the strongest storms in the Pacific this year. As it weakened it still packed gusts of around 126 kilometres per hour near its centre, with gusts of about 227 kilometres per hour reported in some coastal areas.

What disruption did the typhoon cause?

More than 288,000 homes lost electricity at one point, 242 flights were cancelled on Saturday, and offices and schools across northern and central Taiwan, including Taipei, were closed for a second day.