KMP Virgo Transport 8, carrying 243 people, capsized in the Java Sea while travelling from Surabaya to Banjarmasin on Sunday, 13 September.
As of the latest update, 114 people had been evacuated, including six who died, while 129 people remained the subject of a search and rescue operation. The vessel was later found floating upside down in the Java Sea as authorities continued efforts to locate those still missing.
The ferry had been sailing from Surabaya to Banjarmasin when it encountered poor weather. According to the reports, the vessel first experienced listing before communications were lost at around 2am local time. The search operation was launched after the Banjarmasin Search and Rescue Office received a report at 4.10am from PT Virgo General Manager Yoel Rihi.
Virgo Transport 8 Lost Contact After Reporting Bad Weather
The vessel departed Surabaya on Saturday, 12 September, carrying a total of 243 people. The latest manifest included 30 crew members, 27 ship partners, 59 adult passengers, one child, and 126 drivers and assistants. It was also carrying 89 vehicles.
Before communications were lost, the ship was reported to have encountered bad weather and began listing. Its last known position was around 80 nautical miles from the SAR Basirih Pier in Banjarmasin.
I Putu Sudayana, Head of the Banjarmasin Search and Rescue Office and SAR Mission Coordinator, said, “The last known position of the vessel was approximately 80 nautical miles from the Basirih SAR Pier, Banjarmasin.”
The Banjarmasin SAR Office responded by sending six rescue personnel to the SAR Basirih Pier at around 4.30am. The team then continued towards the vessel’s estimated last position aboard KN SAR Laksmana 241. Search efforts involved several agencies, including the Banjarmasin Harbourmaster and Port Authority, Indonesian Navy, South Kalimantan Water and Air Police, Navigation District, Pelindo and the vessel’s local agent.
“We have received a report concerning the loss of contact with Virgo Transport 8 and immediately deployed personnel and KN SAR Laksmana 241 to the estimated last known position,” Sudayana said, as quoted from Republika.
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Search Continues as Vessel Found Upside Down
The rescue operation involved nearby vessels as well as the national search and rescue agency. Earlier reports said 107 people had been evacuated safely, while six people had died. The number later increased to 114 people evacuated, including the six fatalities, according to the latest update.
The vessel itself was later located floating upside down in the Java Sea. Rescue teams continued monitoring the situation while searching for the remaining 129 people. Rough sea conditions have also affected the operation, with authorities continuing to assess conditions in the search area.
The cause of the accident has not yet been established. Heri Purwanto, Head of the Banjarmasin Harbourmaster and Port Authority, said the incident remained under investigation, with authorities examining possible natural, technical and human factors.
Authorities have also urged passengers’ families and the public to rely on official updates while the search continues.
