ISTANBUL

Typhoon Haikui slammed most of Taiwan on Monday morning, injuring at least 78 people. However, the tropical storm's later intensity has decreased.

Most of the injuries were reported in southern Taiwan, the Focus Taiwan News media outlet said, citing a statement from the Central Emergency Operation Center (CEOC).

Authorities have downgraded Typhoon Haikui to a tropical storm, which made landfall twice on Monday in the southern cities and counties of the island nation.

Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau reported that a storm had passed south-southwest of the outlying Penghu islands, heading west-northwest.