6 Dead, 130 Missing After Indonesian Ferry Sinks in Java Sea

A tragic incident unfolded on Sunday when an Indonesian passenger ship, Virgo Transport 8, sank in the Java Sea after being battered by bad weather. According to local authorities, the vessel, carrying 243 people from Surabaya to Banjarmasin, lost contact early Sunday. As of now, six people have been reported dead, while 130 passengers remain missing. One hundred and seven individuals have been successfully rescued.

The Virgo Transport 8 departed Surabaya at 10:13 a.m. local time (0330 UTC) on Saturday, with an expected arrival in Banjarmasin around 2 p.m. on Sunday. However, the ship's operator lost contact with the vessel due to adverse weather conditions. At 4:30 a.m. on Sunday, a six-person rescue team was dispatched from the Basirih SAR Pier in Banjarmasin to locate the vessel's last known position, a journey anticipated to take approximately five hours.

Search and rescue operations involve the coordinated efforts of local port and maritime authorities, the Indonesian Navy, police, and agencies responsible for navigation, transportation, and emergency response. The ship's last known position was situated about 148 kilometers (92 miles) away from the Basirih SAR Pier in Banjarmasin, as reported by the Associated Press.