AP News, June 7th, 2007
Residents of this port city cleared away sand bags and swept water out of homes Thursday after Cyclone Gonu battered Oman's coast with violent winds and fierce rains on its path toward the world's most important crude oil tanker route. At least 13 storm-related deaths were reported.
But as the storm _ a rarity in the Middle East _ headed from Oman to the southeastern Iranian coast, it continued to lose steam, dropping off to tropical storm strength early Thursday, according to the U.S. military's Joint Typhoon Warning Center.
The center predicted Cyclone Gonu would make landfall on the southeastern Iranian coast late Thursday. But it was likely to spare Iran's offshore oil installations that lie more than 120 miles to the west, the center and oil officials said.
At least 12 people were killed from the storm in Oman, including members of police rescue squads, said Oman Royal Police spokesman Abdullah al-Harthi. He did not provide further details. Across the Gulf of Oman, Iran state radio reported that one man was killed in a storm-related incident, without giving more details.
This is a breaking news update. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
MUSCAT, Oman (AP) _ Cyclone Gonu has killed at least 12 people in this Arabian Peninsula sultanate, a spokesman for the Royal Oman Police told Oman TV Thursday.
Abdullah al-Harthi did not provide more details on the deaths or say where in Oman they occurred.
The storm battered Oman's coast with violent winds and fierce rains before heading into the Gulf of Oman Thursday on its way to southeastern Iran.
