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

BANJARMASIN, Indonesia — At least six lives were lost and 129 individuals remain missing after a ferry crossing between Java and Borneo islands capsized on Sunday due to severe weather conditions. The Virgo Transport 8 vessel, carrying a total of 213 passengers and 30 crew members, lost contact with its shipping company early in the day following its departure from Surabaya in East Java.

The national search and rescue agency, Basarnas, reported that six fatalities have been confirmed, with one additional survivor identified, bringing the total rescued individuals to 108. A further 129 people are still listed as missing. The first rescue ship with survivors reached Banjarmasin, a city on the southern coast of Borneo island, around sunset, according to an AFP correspondent.

Survivors were either transported on stretchers into ambulances or required assistance walking, using wheelchairs. In the event of ferry accidents in Indonesia, search operations are usually halted during nighttime hours. Indonesian Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi confirmed that the vessel had capsized.