Kinmen Fog Strands Travelers; Ferry Deployed to Transport 300 to Taiwan

Intermittent dense fog in Kinmen since yesterday has affected flights between Taiwan and Kinmen, leaving over 300 passengers stranded today. The Maritime and Port Bureau (MPB) of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications coordinated with the Kinmen Airport to activate emergency response mechanisms. The ferry 'Jin Rui Long' set sail at noon, transporting 300 passengers back to Taiwan. According to data provided by Kinmen Airport, a total of 19 flights were canceled yesterday, affecting 1,646 people. Although the impact of the dense fog eased this morning, flights were fully booked, and the number of passengers who could successfully get on standby was limited. On-site statistics from Kinmen Airport this morning showed 155, 110, and 81 people on standby for Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung, respectively. To assist with transportation, the ferry 'Jin Rui Long' was deployed, departing from Kinmen's Shuitou Port around 12:00 PM to carry 300 passengers to Budai Port in Chiayi. Lin Yi-ti, director of the Kinmen Meteorological Station, told the Central News Agency that the fog was primarily caused by a stationary front in the north bringing abundant moisture, which interacted with warmer southerly winds to create temperature differences, causing the moisture to condense into dense fog. This stationary front will oscillate north and south, and with continued high moisture levels, it is estimated that the impact of the front will not end until next week. Lin stated that according to forecasts, caution regarding fog is needed until the 26th, especially from night until early morning when dense fog is more likely to appear. During the day, radiation effects may cause moisture to evaporate, potentially easing the fog. If the front moves closer to Kinmen, rain might also reduce the impact of the fog. Lin noted that such stationary fronts are common in May and June, and there is a high probability of fog under southerly wind conditions. Travelers with transportation needs are reminded to pay attention to flight information and the official website of the Central Weather Administration.