Indonesian rescue personnel said that the ferry that went missing in the Java Sea earlier capsized due to severe weather conditions. As the search and rescue operation unfolds, 6 bodies have been recovered so far, with 108 people rescued. However, 129 individuals are still missing.
The Indonesian search and rescue agency stated that the ferry named “Virgo Transport 8” departed from Surabaya, East Java, on Saturday (September 12) en route to Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan.
According to Marine Traffic data, the ship left Surabaya at 10:33 am on Saturday, with the planned arrival in Banjarmasin scheduled for 2:00 pm on Sunday.
I Putu Sudayana, head of the Banjarmasin search office, mentioned that before issuing a distress signal, the ship captain had reported severe sea conditions with waves reaching up to 3 meters (10 feet) high and noted a tilt in the ship’s hull. Authorities later learned that the ship had capsized.
Preliminary information indicates that the last known position of the ship was in the Java Sea, approximately 148 kilometers (92 miles) from Banjarmasin. Based on the passenger list, there were a total of 243 people on board, including 213 passengers and 30 crew members. However, discrepancies between the actual number of passengers and the list are not uncommon in Indonesia. Additionally, the ferry was also transporting 89 vehicles.
The ship, measuring 119 meters (390 feet) in length, was built in Japan in 1987 and designed to carry passengers and vehicles simultaneously.
Sudayana, overseeing the coordination of the rescue efforts, mentioned that the search and rescue agency is collaborating with the maritime sector and other relevant organizations while closely monitoring the local weather conditions.
He stated that with the assistance of nearby tugboats and passing vessels, the rescue team had saved 107 individuals and recovered the bodies of 6 victims by Sunday afternoon.
Reports surfaced claiming that the ship had sunk. However, Indonesian Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi stated that aerial searches revealed the ferry floating upside down on the sea surface and not completely submerged. He informed reporters on Sunday that rescue teams are focusing their efforts on the waters surrounding the location where the ship capsized.
Purwagandhi also announced during a press conference that the Indonesian National Transportation Safety Committee would conduct an investigation into the incident.
Indonesia, being an archipelago nation comprised of 17,000 islands, heavily relies on ferry transportation. Maritime routes are more affordable and accessible compared to air travel in the country.