Super Typhoon Meranti, the strongest storm on record anywhere this year, wreaked havoc as it brought gusts of up to 140mph to mainland China and Taiwan on Thursday.

Xiamen airport was badly damaged, resulting in flights being delayed or cancelled. Some parked aircraft were moved by the winds and others were damaged by flying debris.

Kaohsiung container port was also impacted as containers were blown from their stacks and one of its terminals is expected to be out of action for weeks.

The storm passed through southern Taiwan before arriving at South Eastern China. Other areas, including Hong Kong, were relatively unscathed.