Kinmen ferry services to China suspended Monday due to typhoon

Taipei, Nov. 10 (CNA) Ferry services between Taiwan's outlying Kinmen County and China were suspended Monday as a precautionary measure ahead of the expected effects of Typhoon Fung-Wong, according to the Kinmen Harbor Bureau.

On its Facebook page, the bureau said that ferry services between Kinmen and Xiamen and Quanzhou in Fujian were suspended for one day, starting at 9:30 a.m. Monday.

Passengers are advised to confirm their trips with the ferry operators before traveling, or contact the bureau at 082 324280 for more information, it added.

Citing weather forecasts, the county's Fire Bureau issued a separate statement Monday, saying Fung-Wong's outer bands are expected to begin affecting Kinmen on Wednesday.

The fire agency said it is coordinating with various local government departments, Taiwan Power Co., Chunghwa Telecom, and township offices to ensure that disaster-response personnel and equipment are on standby.

Lu Ying-hua (呂英華), the agency's director-general, called on Kinmen residents to stay alert as the typhoon approaches.

Warning of high waves in coastal areas, Lu advised the public to suspend recreational water activities, and he warned vessels at sea to exercise caution.