Coal barges hit by waves, run aground: Report

Two barges carrying tons of coal were carried along by waves and ran aground on Penyu Beach, Cilacap, Central Java, on Saturday. The coal was intended to be transported to a coal-fired power plant Bunton in Cilacap, The Jakarta Post reported on Monday.

?The latest incident hit the BG Sumber Jaya 308 barge. The barge ran aground on the beach and attracted many people,? said Cilacap resident Rasno, 45.

Earlier this month, a barge carrying 10,000 tons of coal was also hit by waves and ran aground close to the location of the latest incident. ?We hope the relevant offices will tow the barges back to sea because their presence disrupts the activities of local fishermen,? he added.

According to the Cilacap Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), rough seas have been common in Cilacap waters lately. A fishing boat was recently capsized by strong waves and the 11 people on board went missing.

?We found the boat around Pangandaran waters in West Java. But the crew went missing and remain undetected,? said Basarnas chief Mulwahyono. (*)