The storm - with winds of more than 230km/h (142mph) - made landfall on the eastern coast early on Saturday and is now moving across the island.

It is ripping up trees and tearing down billboards, and triggered a landslide in at least one village.

About two million households have been left without electricity.

Rail services and flights have been cancelled and all schools and offices closed.

Taiwan's weather bureau says the typhoon is moving north-west, gradually losing its strength.

Among the victims were an eight-year-old girl and her mother who were swept out to sea.

"I've never seen such a powerful typhoon in my 60 years," one resident in the eastern Taitung county told Taiwan's Formosa TV.

Ahead of Soudelour's arrival, the authorities evacuated thousands of people from their homes.

The storm is later expected to move into the Taiwan Strait and on to mainland China.

Source: BBC