High-rise scaffolding collapses and hundreds of flights are cancelled as Typhoon Noul nears Hong Kong (VIDEO)

Nevin Al Sukari - Sana'a - Scaffolding on a high rise building gave way and crashed onto a neighbouring structure today as Typhoon Noul approached Hong Kong. — Video screencaps via Threads/fish_.csy

By Malay Mail

First Published: Saturday, 25 Jul 2026 7:17 PM MYT

HONG KONG, July 25 — Scaffolding on a high rise building gave way and crashed onto a neighbouring structure today as Typhoon Noul approached Hong Kong and triggered widespread flight cancellations.

The storm strengthened as it moved toward the city and was expected to pass within 100km tomorrow morning, according to the South China Morning Post.

The Hong Kong Observatory said strong winds and outer rainbands had already reached coastal districts and warned that conditions would deteriorate as Noul advanced.

Police said they received several emergency calls at around 4.11pm reporting that scaffolding along Cheung Sha Wan Road had collapsed.

A Threads user posting under the name fish_.csy, who shared a video of the collapse, said the structure “shook for a moment before it really came down,” adding that “the whole thing took less than 30 seconds.”

The eyewitness said police sirens sounded almost immediately and later observed disaster response personnel arriving in Lai Chi Kok.

Footage circulating online shows multiple levels of scaffolding falling from the high rise and striking the building below, and authorities said they had no immediate information on injuries.

The Observatory recorded wind gusts reaching 110 kilometres per hour in some areas shortly before 4.45pm.

Officials issued the No 3 typhoon signal at 1.20pm and said they would consider raising it between 9pm and midnight.

Afternoon classes at several schools were cancelled, and the Housing Authority said contractors had tightened safety measures at construction sites.

The Observatory said Noul had travelled steadily across the northeastern South China Sea and had intensified slightly in recent hours.

It said winds would continue to strengthen as the storm’s outer rainbands spread across Guangdong’s coastal areas.

Hong Kong’s airport website listed at least 49 flight cancellations today and 290 tomorrow.

Cathay Pacific said all flights in and out of Hong Kong between 1.15am and 6pm tomorrow had been cancelled.

The airline said rebooking and rerouting fees had been waived and full refunds would be offered.

Airport Authority acting chief executive Steven Yiu Si wing urged passengers to verify their flight status before travelling to the airport.

He said airlines had activated contingency arrangements and that further updates would be issued tomorrow morning.

At 6pm, the Observatory placed Noul about 230km east southeast of Hong Kong and said it was moving northwest at roughly 18km/h toward the Guangdong coast.

Officials advised the public to avoid shorelines and refrain from water activities.

Education authorities instructed kindergartens and schools for children with disabilities to suspend afternoon classes but keep premises open for pupils already present.

Schools were told to ensure conditions were safe before allowing students to leave.

The Housing Authority said contractors had inspected scaffolding and covered construction slopes with tarpaulins as part of storm preparedness measures.

The Civil Engineering and Development Department said it had activated an emergency plan for low lying and coastal zones to reduce flood risks.

Forecasts indicate Noul will make landfall between Huizhou and Shanwei tomorrow morning, bringing heavy squally showers and thunderstorms.

The name Noul, submitted by North Korea, means “glowing crimson skies.”