Taitung, Aug. 21 (CNA) Over 5,000 people visiting Green and Orchid Islands off the coast of Taitung County were evacuated on Monday as Tropical Storm Hato headed toward southern Taiwan.

According to the Eastern Coastal Patrol Office's Offshore Flotilla 13, the number of ferries serving the two islands was increased on Monday to bring all the tourists currently there to Taitung County for their own safety.

A total of 14 ferries returned 3,592 people from Green Island and 12 ferries brought 1,519 people back from Orchid Island, the office said.

As of 5:30 p.m., the tropical storm was located about 110 kilometers east-southeast of the town of Eluanbi on Taiwan's southernmost tip.

All travel to Green Island and Orchid Island was suspended at 5 p.m. on Monday and will not be allowed on Tuesday.

(By Lu Tai-chen and Kuan-lin Liu)
Enditem/ls