1 dead, 102 rescued from stricken ferry off Indonesia's Java

One person lost their life while over 100 were rescued after a ferry traveling between Indonesia's Java and Borneo islands encountered harsh weather conditions on Sunday. The Virgo Transport 8, carrying 243 passengers and crew, disappeared from contact with its shipping company early in the day following its departure from Surabaya in East Java.

Local search and rescue chief I Putu Sudayana confirmed that 103 people were eventually evacuated from the vessel, with one passenger succumbing to the incident. The fatalities occurred during the rescue operation when choppy waves, reaching up to 2.5 meters in height, posed a significant challenge for the rescuers. The team battling the rough seas was based in Banjarmasin, the port city where the ferry was headed.

I Putu Sudayana cited the inherent danger that vessels face in such conditions, even mentioning that his Basarnas vessel, which is 40 meters long, also faces considerable risk. The Basarnas agency, Indonesia's Search and Rescue Agency, reiterated the extreme peril these operations present. Sudayana had previously informed AFP that the ship's captain had reported the vessel tilting prior to losing contact.

The ferry's final known location was in the Java Sea, approximately 150 kilometers from its intended destination. Maritime accidents continue to be a recurrent issue.