The ship “Anugrah”, which has replaced “Nakroma”, almost sank off the coast of Atapupu, Atambua, Indonesia, in a storm. 
“When it arrived at Atapupu from Oe-Cusse, the gate of the ship fell down because of the storm which frightened the passengers,” MP Pedro da Costa Martires said at the National Parliament (NP).
The National Congress of Timor Reconstruction (CNRT)MP said the Indonesian National Army (TNI) and the Timor-Leste Defence Force (F-FDTL),which was on duty at the border, were immediately called after one of the passengers aboard the ship called for help.
“However, they could not assist them since they did not have a vessel to help, so the passengers were crying while they were waiting for assistance,” said the MP from Commission E (for infrastructure, transport and communication affairs).
Oe-Cusse resident MP Jacob Araujo said there were 210 passengers aboard the ship.
The incident took place at 1 am, February 17.
MP Araujo said the ship had been slightly delayed.
MP Araujo said when the incident occurred, he immediately called the Minister of Transport and Communication and the minister and his deputy and director contacted the Secretary of State for Security to request urgent assistance.
“It needed five or six boats to save the 210 passengers on the ship,” the MP said.
Acting Secretary of State for Parliamentary affairs Nelio Isaac Sarmento said the government team was sent to Oe-Cusse to decide how to save the passengers.
He said the MTT team hired the cars to take passengers to Oe-Cusse by land.
