Indonesia says 6 killed, 129 missing after ferry capsizes off Java

At least six people were killed and 129 others are missing after a ferry capsized off the coast of Java, Indonesia, on Sunday, according to rescuers. The Virgo Transport 8, carrying 213 passengers and 30 crew members, lost contact with its shipping company early Sunday after departing from Surabaya in East Java. One survivor, Rinto Arahap, recounted scenes of panic as passengers scrambled for life jackets during the incident.

He noted that many passengers were asleep when the vessel began listing at around 2am, and waves were over two meters high. The first rescue ship arrived before nightfall in Banjarmasin, located on the southern coast of Borneo island. Indonesian Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi confirmed that the ship capsized. Local search and rescue chief I Putu Sudayana said the ship's captain had reported the vessel was tilting before losing contact.

Rescuers faced waves of up to 2.5 meters to reach the ferry, which was last detected in the Java Sea, around 150 kilometers from its destination. The ship was also carrying vehicles. Survivors were rescued after being adrift for about four hours. The Indonesian government has established a command center at the Banjarmasin port, with paramedics and ambulances on standby.

Many relatives and friends of the passengers gathered at the command post to receive updates on the situation.