A large-scale search and rescue mission is currently underway in the Java Sea following the capsizing of the passenger ferry Virgo Transport 8. Authorities report that six people have been confirmed dead, while 107 passengers and crew have been successfully rescued. Officials are still searching for 130 individuals who remain missing.
The vessel, which measures 119 meters in length, was carrying 213 passengers and 30 crew members. It departed from Surabaya on Saturday morning and was en route to Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan. The ship lost contact during adverse weather conditions approximately 150 kilometers south of its destination early Sunday morning. A distress signal was received by authorities at 04:10 local time.
A joint task force, comprising the Indonesian navy, maritime police, and the national search and rescue agency, has deployed 280 personnel, along with multiple ships and a helicopter, to the site. All vessels currently navigating the Java Sea have been instructed to monitor for survivors.
The incident has caused significant distress for families awaiting news at ports in Surabaya and Banjarmasin. Relatives of those on board have described the uncertainty of the situation, with some reporting final communications from passengers who expressed concern about the rough sea conditions shortly before the vessel went missing.
Maritime accidents remain a recurring issue in Indonesia, an archipelago nation where ferries serve as a primary mode of transportation. Government statistics indicate that over 100 maritime accidents have been recorded in the country between 2020 and 2026.
Source: BBC News
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