Lighthouses out of order

PULAU SONIT, Southeast Sulawesi: Three lighthouses around the Banggai Islands in the West Banda Sea have been out of order since the Nov. 29 earthquake, making night sailing in the area hazardous, Antara reported on Tuesday.

The lighthouses are in Bokan, Kau Kanau and Mbuang-Mbuang islets, Yus Lutam, the Banggai harbormaster, said, adding that the area was surrounded by tiny islets and coral reef barriers.

A house that had sheltered six lighthouse officers in the area was also damaged in the quake, Yus said.

Yus said he had already reported the damage to the transportation authorities in Kendari and asked that it be repaired as soon as possible. (01)