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

Jakarta - A tragic incident unfolded on Sunday when a ferry crossing between the Indonesian islands of Java and Borneo encountered severe weather conditions, resulting in one fatality and the rescue of over 100 passengers and crew members. The Virgo Transport 8, carrying 243 individuals, lost communication with its shipping company early in the morning after departing from Surabaya, East Java.

Local search and rescue chief I Putu Sudayana informed that a total of 103 people were evacuated, with one person succumbing to the circumstances. The deceased passenger was among those rescued, according to Sudayana, who provided this information to reporters in Banjarmasin, the port city where the vessel was headed.

Rescuers faced a daunting challenge as they battled waves reaching up to 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) in height to reach the stricken ferry. Even the Basarnas vessel, a 40-meter-long search and rescue boat, was at significant risk during the operation, Sudayana emphasized, referring to Indonesia's Search and Rescue Agency. Earlier reports suggested that the ship's captain had informed them that the vessel was tilting before losing contact.

The last known position of the ferry was in the Java Sea, approximately 150 kilometers (90 miles) away from its intended destination. Maritime accidents have unfortunately become a recurring issue in the region.