Indonesian authorities have escalated search and rescue operations following the capsizing of the Virgo Transport 8 ferry in the Java Sea. The incident, which occurred in rough seas on Sunday, has left 129 people missing and at least six passengers confirmed dead.
Mohammad Syafii, head of the National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS), stated that 17 ships and aircraft carrying approximately 622 personnel from the military, police, and other agencies were deployed on Monday to locate the missing travelers. Efforts also include specialized underwater teams and navy-operated drones to assist in locating victims and navigating the wreckage.
“We remain hopeful of finding more survivors,” Syafii said during a video briefing. On Sunday, search teams working with nearby tugboats and passing vessels rescued 108 people and recovered six bodies.
The ferry was traveling from Surabaya in East Java to Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan when the captain issued a distress call around 2 a.m. Sunday. The captain reported that the vessel was listing heavily in waves up to three meters high. Contact was lost shortly thereafter, and authorities were informed two hours later that the ship had overturned in the Masalembo waters, located about 148 kilometers (92 miles) from Banjarmasin.
According to the ship’s manifest, the 119-meter vessel was carrying 243 people, comprising 213 passengers and 30 crew members, along with 89 vehicles. However, officials noted that passenger numbers often differ from manifests in Indonesia due to informal boarding practices. Video footage released by BASARNAS showed the underside of the overturned ferry floating in choppy waters during helicopter surveillance.
Relatives of those aboard gathered at command centers in Banjarmasin and Surabaya, awaiting news on family members still unaccounted for. The Virgo Transport 8, built in Japan in 1987, was sold to Indonesia last year after operating there for nearly four decades.
Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, relies heavily on ferries for transportation. Disasters at sea occur with regularity, often attributed to weak enforcement of maritime safety standards.
It is heartbreaking that this happens so often in Indonesia. How many more tragedies before the government prioritizes maritime safety enforcement?
Informal boarding is clearly part of the problem here. The actual number of passengers might be higher than the manifest showed.
Sixty-two2 rescue personnel are a lot. I hope the sea conditions improve so the underwater drones can really do their job.
This old vessel was sold to Indonesia last year. Is this another case of negligence over profit? We need stricter safety checks now.
Twelve families left in limbo. Our thoughts are with everyone waiting for news in Surabaya and Banjarmasin.