Indonesian officials stepped up a large‑scale search Monday for the 129 passengers still missing after the ferry Virgo Transport 8 capsized in the Java Sea on Sunday. The disaster, which claimed at least six lives, prompted a coordinated response involving the military, police and the National Search and Rescue Agency.
Rescue operation details
At about 2 a.m. Sunday, the ferry, en route from Surabaya in East Java to Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan, sent a distress call as it listed in rough seas with waves up to three metres (10 feet). Two hours later, authorities confirmed the vessel had overturned about 148 kilometres (92 miles) from Banjarmasin in the Masalembo waters of the Java Sea.
Videos released by the National Search and Rescue Agency showed the overturned hull bobbing in choppy water while a helicopter hovered overhead. By Monday, the agency deployed 17 ships and aircraft, mobilising roughly 655 personnel from the armed forces, police and other agencies. Specialized underwater teams and navy‑operated thermal drones were also sent to locate survivors and recover victims more quickly.
Survivors rescued and casualties
Search teams, aided by nearby tugboats and passing vessels, rescued 108 people and recovered six bodies on Sunday. The ferry’s manifest listed 243 individuals – 213 passengers and 30 crew members – though it is common in Indonesia for actual passenger numbers to differ from the manifest. The 119‑metre (390‑foot) vessel, built in Japan in 1987, was also carrying 89 vehicles.
Survivors described a chaotic scene. Ahmad Saudi, a bus driver transporting a vehicle, said the ferry was overcrowded, with many passengers forced to sleep in hallways because cabins were full. He recounted the sudden listing, panic among passengers and a lack of alarms or announcements. Another survivor, known only as Faisal, said he and 14 others clung to a portion of the hull that remained above water, repeatedly reciting the Islamic call to prayer while awaiting rescue.
Authorities’ response
National Search and Rescue Agency chief Mohammad Syafii expressed optimism, stating, “We remain hopeful of finding more survivors.” He noted that the agency continues to deploy underwater drones and specialized teams to speed up the evacuation of any remaining victims.
Investigators have not yet determined the cause of the accident, though survivors suggested that uneven loading of trucks may have affected the vessel’s balance.
Context
Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, relies heavily on ferries for inter‑island travel. Accidents occur with some frequency, often linked to lax enforcement of safety standards. The ongoing search underscores the challenges of maritime safety in the region and the importance of coordinated rescue efforts.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
