High waves slam ferries, houses in Makassar, Kupang

Andi Hajramurni and Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Makassar, Kupang

High waves and heavy storms swept through the Makassar gulf Wednesday evening, wrecking a tanker and ferry.

Flooding caused by the high waves and heavy storms had reportedly also inundated more than 250 houses in Biboki Anleu district of Timor Tengah Utara regency in East Nusa Tenggara on Thursday morning.

The ferry used as a laboratory and cafe, which was anchored 200 meters offshore, was hurled onto an embankment at Losari beach.

One of the ferry's crew, Irfan, said the high waves and heavy storms started on Wednesday evening, becoming more intense early Thursday evening when the vessel broke free from its anchor.

"We panicked and thought the ferry might sink. We couldn't do anything at the time."

He said on Thursday afternoon the ferry was hurled onto the beach-- where it attracted the attention of curious passersby. He added he was relieved to find all five crew members survived the disaster.

It was also reported that a PT Semen Bosowa tanker had run aground, about 30 meters from a residential area, in Galangan village, Kaluku Bodoa sub-district, Tallo district, Makassar. Residents panicked as the ship approached.

One resident, Agussalim, said the tanker had been anchored about 500 meters offshore for the past few days. The storm and huge waves had damaged the anchor on Wednesday evening, he said, forcing the tanker inland.

To guard against similar incidents, the residents were evacuated away from beaches.

Residents said they hoped the vessel's owner would remove it soon to prevent further harm.

From East Nusa Tenggara it was reported that high waves and heavy storms, hitting more than 250 houses on Thursday morning, had forced about 1,000 people to evacuate.

The high waves and heavy storms that hit the region also caused flooding of up to one meter.

Head of Biboki Anleu district Amandus Afeanpah said he couldn't yet calculate the financial loss from the disaster.

Deputy regent of Timor Tengah Utara, Raymundus Fernandez, said he had encouraged people, who lived in the affected areas, to evacuate to safer places.

"I asked everyone to stay away from the beach in order to avoid unwanted incidents."

There were no casualties reported from that disaster.