Typhoon Kalmaegi has swept past Hong Kong, closing schools and disrupting flights as strong winds pounded the territory.

More than 500 flights were delayed as the storm passed by on its way to China's Hainan Island.

Morning trading was cancelled on the Hong Kong stock exchange, while schools and businesses were ordered to close until the storm warning was lowered.

The storm blew in from the Philippines, where it cut power and soaked farmland.

At least six people are reported to have died when a ferry sank in the central Philippines on Saturday evening, after stalling in bad weather.

In Manila, a ferry capsized in rough seas but all 15 crew members were rescued.

But Philippine officials said the storm largely avoided heavily populated areas.

In Hong Kong, a level eight cyclone warning was in place on Monday evening, on a 10-point scale.

Twenty-five people needed hospital treatment for storm-related injuries.

Before midday on Tuesday the warning was down to three, however, as the storm headed to Hainan.

"Although Kalmaegi is moving away, occasional gales will still affect the south-western part and high ground of Hong Kong," the Hong Kong Observatory said.

In China, dozens of flights were cancelled as the typhoon approached, including all flights out of Haikou, the capital of Hainan province, Xinhua news agency said.

Source: BBC