China's Typhoon Fitow: Two Killed, Over Half a Million Evacuated [PHOTOS]

A powerful typhoon has struck southeastern China, killing at least two people and causing hundreds of thousands to be evacuated.

Typhoon Fitow made landfall in the Fujian province, battering it with winds of up to 151km/h (94 mph), the National Meteorological Centre said.

Fitow, which is named after a flower, cut power to entire towns and counties. Travel was also affected with many flight cancellations and train services suspended.

A 55-year-old died in Dongtou County as strong winds blew him off a hill. A second person was also killed in a typhoon-related incident in Cangnan County.

Chinese authorities issued a red alert - the highest warning - as Fitow, the 23rd typhoon to hit China this year, approached.

Fujian's government said 177,000 people had been moved to safety and nearly 30,000 fishing boats called back.

In Zhejiang, which neighbours Fujian, the provincial flood relief agency oversaw the evacuation of 574,000 people and ordered 35,800 vessels to return to shore.

The provincial flood control office said Fitow has affected more than three million people in Zhejiang, causing direct economic damage of 2.28bn yuan (£231m).