High winds and torrential rainfall killed hundreds of people, many of whom perished when a ferry en route from Manila to the central hub of Cebu sank with 862 on board.

The “M/V Princess of the Stars” embarked when forecasters were predicting that the typhoon would veer northward before reaching the eastern Philippines.

But by late Friday, the storm slammed into the central island of Semar before passing directly over the capital of Manila while still producing typhoon-force winds.

Some of the only 25 survivors of the maritime disaster described harrowing scenes of screaming children and adults leaping into tempestuous seas as the vessel went under.

At least 291 people were killed by the storm’s fury on land as heavy rains unleashed floods and mudslides, while high winds wrecked many homes.

Floodwaters in many parts of the Philippines surged so swiftly that many people were forced to flee their homes to take refuge on rooftops or in the branches of tall trees.

Fengshen lost force over the terrain of the Philippines archipelago, and later passed over the South China Sea before reaching the Chinese Mainland as a significantly weakened storm.

Tropical Storm Fengshen made landfall in Guangdong province, then passed about 45 miles (70 km) to the northwest of Hong Kong on Wednesday morning before dissipating.

Hong Kong Radar Loop

Wide-angle enlarged satellite view of Typhoon Fengshen

Typhoon Fengshen Track

Satellite Loop: University of Wisconsin
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