A Little Off Course, a Little Onshore
Of all the perils of owning a seaside home, Haruo Abe never thought he’d have to deal with a cargo ship in his living room. But that’s exactly what he was facing at 2:30 a.m. after the captain of a 550-ton tanker fell asleep.
Abe suffered a bruised shoulder when the ship hit his house on Osakikami island, 400 miles southwest of Tokyo. Six crew members were not hurt.
“I heard a boom and within three seconds the second floor came falling down,†Abe, 76, told Japan’s public broadcaster NHK. “Unlike an earthquake, the house didn’t keep shaking.â€
The ship continued its voyage after help from a tugboat.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
