Six dead, 107 rescued from Indonesian ferry in Java Sea
The Virgo Transport 8 ferry went missing in the Java Sea with 243 people on board. Search efforts continue for the remaining 130 missing.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Indonesian passenger ferry Virgo Transport 8 encountered bad weather and lost contact in the Java Sea
- Six people have been confirmed dead and 107 rescued safely
- The vessel was carrying a total of 243 people, leaving 130 still missing
- Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi announced a formal investigation by the National Transport Safety Committee
A maritime tragedy unfolded in Indonesian waters as the passenger ferry Virgo Transport 8 ran into severe weather conditions in the Java Sea, prompting an immediate search and rescue mission by local authorities. Officials confirmed that six people have lost their lives, while 107 individuals have been successfully rescued from the stricken vessel as operations to locate remaining survivors continue.
According to reports, the ship was journeying from Surabaya to the South Kalimantan city of Banjarmasin, carrying 213 passengers and 30 crew members, making a total of 243 people on board. Maritime tracking data showed the ferry departed Surabaya at 10:33 on Saturday and was scheduled to dock in Banjarmasin at 14:00 on Sunday, before losing contact around 02:00 local time on Sunday about 150km south of Banjarmasin after encountering bad weather.
The vessel's operator, PT Virgo, issued an initial distress report at 04:10, leading to the formation of a joint task force comprising the search and rescue agency, navy, and maritime police. A total of 280 personnel, supported by ships and a helicopter, were deployed to the scene while all vessels navigating the Java Sea area were placed on alert to spot any signs of passengers.
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Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
An operations post was established at the Trisakti Port area on Sunday morning, where anxious families gathered to seek information about their loved ones. Meanwhile, relatives of crew members also flocked to Tanjung Perak Port in Surabaya to obtain updates regarding the missing workers aboard the ship.
Ferry accidents in Indonesia highlight ongoing maritime safety challenges across an archipelago consisting of more than 17,000 islands where water transport remains vital. Government records show that 111 ship accidents were officially documented between 2020 and 2026, underlining the critical need for enhanced safety regulations and rapid weather warning systems for inter-island transit.
Speaking at a news conference at the port on Sunday afternoon, Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi stated that the incident will face a thorough investigation conducted by Indonesia's National Transport Safety Committee to determine the exact factors behind the disaster.
Source: BBC World
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