Indonesia searches for ferry Virgo Transport 8 with 243 aboard after storm
This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.
Indonesian rescuers are searching for the ferry Virgo Transport 8 after it lost contact with 243 people aboard in the Java Sea during a storm. The vessel was sailing from Surabaya to Banjarmasin when communication was lost at 02:00 local time. Navy, water police, and navigation services are involved in the intensified search.
Key Facts
- The ferry Virgo Transport 8 lost contact with 243 people aboard in the Java Sea during a storm.
- The vessel was sailing from Surabaya to Banjarmasin when communication was lost at 02:00 local time.
- The last known position was about 80 nautical miles from the SAR Basirih pier in Banjarmasin.
- Search and rescue ship KN SAR Laksmana 241 was dispatched with an estimated five-hour transit to the area.
- Indonesian navy, water police, port and navigation services are involved in the search operation.
Search Operation
Indonesia's National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) is leading the search for Virgo Transport 8. The search and rescue ship KN SAR Laksmana 241 was dispatched to the last known position of the ferry. The estimated transit time to the area is about five hours. Indonesian navy, water police, port and navigation services are also participating in the operation. Basarnas stated that the search is being conducted in an intensified mode due to the large number of passengers and crew on board.
Vessel and Incident
Virgo Transport 8 was en route from Surabaya to Banjarmasin when it encountered severe weather. Contact with the ferry was lost at 02:00 local time on Sunday. The last received position was approximately 80 nautical miles from the SAR Basirih pier in Banjarmasin. Search coordinator I Putu Sudayana confirmed the last known position to journalists. It was not specified whether any foreigners were on board.