Nine people were dead in Japan and twelve were missing on Monday in the wake of typhoon Etau, which raked the nation with high winds and pounding rain before heading out to sea and turning into a tropical depression.

One of the worst hit areas was the northernmost main island of Hokkaido, where rain caused extensive damage to homes and transport networks.

Two vehicles, including a van carrying a family of five, were swept away by flood water in the town of Kamishihoro on Hokkaido after a bridge was destroyed. One body was found in the van and the other four people were missing. According to Kyodo news agency, 85 people were injured in the storm, which also flooded around 1,000 houses.

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