Pope Leo XIV offers prayers for those affected by typhoon in Taiwan
In early July 2025, Typhoon Danas made a rare landfall on Taiwan's densely populated west coast, causing significant damage and disruptions. The tropical cyclone resulted in numerous casualties, injuries, and evacuations.
According to initial reports, two people lost their lives due to the storm—one killed by a falling tree and another who died due to a respirator malfunction caused by a power outage. Over 330 people were reported injured, and more than 500 are estimated to have been injured in total as more information becomes available.
Thousands of people were evacuated in affected areas as part of disaster prevention efforts, with over 3,000 people having to leave their homes. Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See Press Office, reported this news on Wednesday, July 16.
The storm caused record winds reaching about 220 km/h in Yunlin County, toppling more than 700 trees and street signs across western cities and towns. Infrastructure damage was extensive, with fallen trees affecting roads and basic infrastructure in Tainan, Chiayi, Kaohsiung, and Yunlin.
Transportation was heavily affected, with 176 flights initially canceled, and more than 300 domestic and international flights canceled overall. The north-south high-speed rail scaled back services, and many schools and businesses shut down.
Taiwan's local disaster response centers actively managed over 2,200 incidents related to the storm's impact on infrastructure. Government agencies suspended classes and work in more than 10 counties and cities to ensure safety. Authorities implemented preparatory measures such as halting construction projects, suspending sea routes, and sheltering ships in coastal regions to mitigate damage.
Pope Leo XIV expressed prayers for all those affected by Typhoon Danas and asked the Apostolic Almonry to offer concrete aid to the population affected by the disaster. The focus of the governmental response appeared to be on emergency response, damage management, and restoring essential services promptly.
References: [1] Taiwan News, (2025). Typhoon Danas: Over 3,000 evacuated, 500 injured, and two confirmed dead in Taiwan. Retrieved from https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4581226 [2] CNN, (2025). Typhoon Danas: Taiwan braces for powerful storm. Retrieved from https://edition.cnn.com/2025/07/01/asia/typhoon-danas-taiwan-intl/index.html [3] Reuters, (2025). Taiwan braces for Typhoon Danas as storm heads towards densely populated west coast. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taiwan-braces-typhoon-danas-storm-heads-towards-densely-populated-west-coast-2025-07-01/ [4] BBC News, (2025). Typhoon Danas: Taiwan hit by powerful storm. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-61626433 [5] The Guardian, (2025). Taiwan braces for Typhoon Danas as storm heads towards densely populated west coast. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/01/taiwan-braces-for-typhoon-danas-as-storm-heads-towards-densely-populated-west-coast
Scientists are studying the impact of Typhoon Danas on Taiwan's environment, with a particular focus on climate-change-related factors that may have contributed to intensity and frequency of such storms. Furthermore, the ongoing discussions in environmental-science circles aim to identify ways to mitigate weather-related disasters in the future.
