HONG KONG -- At least one person was scratched by falling containers Wednesday afternoon in Hong Kong as Typhoon Prapiroon gained its strength in the South China Sea and brought occasional heavy rains and strong wind to the metropolis.

More than 10 empty containers were brought down by strong gales with the maximum speed of 103 kmph in Kwai Chung Container Terminal in west Kowloon, scratching at least on worker at the scene, a spokesman for the terminal said.

The spokesman said the container trading at the terminal will be suspended from 8 o'clock at night.

Strong waves and winds following Typhoon Prapiroon also hampered a number of ferry services in Hong Kong, where class of kindergartens and special schools were also suspended on Wednesday.

A couple of trees collapsed in Hong Kong, slightly affecting the traffic while a searchlight show along the Victoria Harbor was also canceled Wednesday night due to Typhoon Prapiroon.

The Hong Kong Observatory issued a No. 3 tropical bulletin warning Wednesday afternoon as winds with average speed of 41 to 62 kmph are expected.

At 7:00 p.m., the center of Typhoon Prapiroon was estimated to be about 340 km south of Hong Kong, and is forecast to move northwest at 14 kmph in the general direction of western part of southern China's Guangdong Province and island province of Hainan, according to the Hong Kong Observatory.

The Hong Kong Observatory forecast that Typhoon Prapiroon will edge closer to Hong Kong and make its landfall on Thursday in Hainan and Guangdong. Local winds will continue to strengthen, the observatory said.