From a huge storm in India which has killed nine people to the rescue operation after the eruption of a volcano in Indonesia, here are today’s biggest stories from around the world.
Severe cyclonic storm hits Southern India
As a severe cyclonic storm batters India’s southern Andhra Pradesh state with heavy rains and strong winds, the toll rises with nine reported deaths, including that of a child, in both Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring Tamil Nadu due to rain-related incidents.
Authorities have taken swift action, evacuating thousands from low-lying areas in both states to mitigate the impact of Cyclone Michaung. Flooded residential areas and striking visuals of cars afloat in water highlight the severity of the situation.
Cyclone Michaung made landfall between Nellore and Kavali in Andhra Pradesh, as confirmed by the state chief minister’s office. The India Meteorological Department forecasts wind speeds of up to 110 km/h (68 mph), which are expected to decrease as the cyclone dissipates post-landfall.
In response to the crisis, approximately 9,500 individuals in Andhra Pradesh have been relocated to 211 relief camps as efforts continue to manage the aftermath of the destructive storm.
Race against time for missing hikers after volcano eruption
Indonesian rescuers are intensifying efforts to locate 10 missing hikers following a deadly volcano eruption that claimed the lives of 13 people.
Thirteen hikers were discovered lifeless near the crater of Mount Marapi on Sumatra Island. The grim discovery prompted rescue officials to confirm 11 deaths on the same day, with an additional two reported on Tuesday. The fate of the missing 10 remains uncertain, but there are glimmers of hope as some survivors have been successfully rescued from the mountain.
The eruption, which propelled a towering ash column 3,000 metres into the sky on Sunday, has complicated rescue operations. Ongoing eruptions and adverse weather conditions are challenging the dedicated rescuers, who may need to trek on foot to the summit – a perilous journey – to manually evacuate victims on stretchers. The situation remains critical as the rescue teams brave the elements in their race to save lives.
Terror plot foiled: 20-year old Iraqi arrested in Germany
Police authorities in Lower Saxony have apprehended a 20-year-old Iraqi suspected of planning a terrorist attack. The alleged target was the Hanover Christmas market, and two other individuals are also under suspicion for plotting an explosion at the market.
Lower Saxony’s Interior Minister, Daniela Behrens, disclosed the arrest during a Thursday broadcast on NDR.
The 20-year-old suspect, who resides in Saxony-Anhalt, was taken into custody in Helmstedt on November 21. Behrens emphasised the ongoing threat, suggesting the presence of radical Islamists in Germany.
She hinted at the possibility of additional arrests, with announcements expected in the digital realm as authorities remain vigilant against potential further attacks.
Bus crash in Thailand claims 14 lives
A devastating accident in Thailand has claimed the lives of 14 people after a double-decker bus veered off the road and collided with a tree. Disturbing online images depict the bus tilted on its side, front split in half, with parts of the tree embedded in the wreckage.
The incident occurred in Prachuap Khiri Khan, a coastal province in the southern region of the country, leaving thirty-two others injured. Thailand, grappling with one of the world’s highest road accident rates, witnesses thousands of fatalities annually, with concerns raised about inadequate safety standards on its bustling roads.
While the cause of Monday night’s tragic crash remains unconfirmed, authorities suspect that the driver, as reported by AFP, may have been deprived of sufficient sleep. Investigations are underway as the nation mourns the loss and reflects on the ongoing road safety challenges.
