Indonesian rescue teams have launched a massive search operation after the passenger ferry Virgo Transport 8 lost communication with authorities in the Java Sea. The vessel was carrying 243 people when it went missing on Sunday.
The ship had departed from Surabaya, Indonesia’s second-largest city, early Saturday morning at 10:13 a.m. local time on its route to Banjarmasin, the capital of South Kalimantan province. However, the operator lost contact with the vessel early Sunday due to severe weather conditions.
I Putu Sudayana, head of the Banjarmasin Search and Rescue Office, confirmed that the incident was reported after the operator received information regarding the bad weather. According to the Associated Press, the ferry’s last known position was approximately 148 kilometers (92 miles) from the Banjarmasin pier.
Sudayana stated that rescue crews were dispatched to the Basirih Search and Rescue pier in Banjarmasin, with a rescue vessel heading toward the estimated location. He emphasized that all available personnel and equipment are being mobilized to handle the large number of people on board, while coordination continues with maritime authorities and weather monitoring remains active.
As of now, there are no immediate reports of casualties. Indonesia, an archipelago of roughly 17,000 islands, depends heavily on ferries for transportation, as sea travel is often more affordable and accessible than flying. However, safety enforcement in the nation’s maritime sector has been inconsistent, leading to a comparatively high rate of accidents.
243 people onboard and no word yet. Please be okay. Thinking of their families.
Is it still dark there? Hope the weather clears up for the rescue teams soon.
Safety standards here are really lacking. Tragic but sadly predictable for this region.
Fingers crossed everyone makes it home safely. That’s 243 lives hanging in the balance.