A ferry disaster in Indonesia has left 129 missing and 6 confirmed dead after the Virgo Transport 8 capsized in the Java Sea.
Ferry disaster in Indonesia: 129 people missing
In Indonesia, at least 6 people lost their lives after the passenger and vehicle ferry named Virgo Transport 8 capsized in the Java Sea. Rescue teams have successfully rescued 108 individuals, while a large-scale search and rescue operation is ongoing to locate 129 missing persons.
The Virgo Transport 8, which was en route from Surabaya to Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan, had a total of 243 people on board, including 213 passengers and 30 crew members, according to the official manifest. The ferry was also carrying 89 vehicles.
The accident occurred early in the morning on September 13, Sunday. According to Indonesian search and rescue authorities, the vessel encountered bad weather approximately 80 nautical miles from Banjarmasin. Communication with the ship was lost around 02:00, and the Banjarmasin Search and Rescue Office was notified of the incident at 04:10.
Large waves struck from the port side
Before the accident, it was reported that the captain of the vessel informed that the ferry was listing due to adverse weather conditions. According to the latest information reported by Reuters, wave heights in the area reached up to 3 meters. Initial assessments indicate that severe sea and weather conditions played a significant role in the accident, while investigations to determine the exact cause are ongoing.
Although the ferry capsized, it did not completely sink, and its overturned hull remained above water. This situation keeps alive the possibility that some of the missing individuals may have survived in air pockets that could form inside the vessel. However, strong winds and high waves are making it difficult for divers to reach the ship and conduct searches inside.
Over 600 personnel are conducting searches
Indonesian authorities have expanded the scope of the search and rescue operation. According to the latest information, more than 600 rescue personnel, 17 ships, and 5 helicopters are involved in the operation. Once sea conditions become favorable, underwater rescue teams are also planned to search inside the overturned vessel.
A significant portion of those rescued was brought out of the water with the help of commercial vessels in the area. The MV Haida, which participated in the rescue efforts, transported a number of survivors to Trisakti Port in Banjarmasin. According to local sources, the ship brought 69 survivors to the port.
Due to the widespread nature of maritime transportation in Indonesia, ferry safety has long been a topic of discussion. In a country made up of over 17,000 islands, maritime transport is one of the essential elements of transportation between cities and islands. Authorities state that the Virgo Transport 8 has a capacity of approximately 500 passengers, and therefore, based on current data, overloading is not considered the cause of the accident.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
