Rescuers search for 130 after Indonesia ferry capsizes

Rescuers in Indonesia are searching for 130 people missing after a passenger ferry capsized in the Java Sea. The Virgo Transport 8, carrying 243 passengers and crew, lost contact with its operator early Sunday. Basarnas, Indonesia's search and rescue agency, reported six fatalities and 130 people still missing. A total of 107 individuals have been rescued so far, according to the agency.

The ship had 213 passengers and 30 crew members on board. The last known position of the ferry was 81 nautical miles from Banjarmasin, a port city on Borneo, as reported by AFP. The rough weather and high waves, up to 2.5 meters high, have complicated the rescue operation, as stated by I Putu Sudayana, head of the local search-and-rescue office in Banjarmasin.

Indonesia's Ministry of Transportation confirmed the ship capsized due to the challenging sea conditions. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the sinking, examining aspects such as the weather and potential technical failures. The incident highlights the critical role ferries play in transportation across Indonesia's vast archipelago, where sea routes are more economical and accessible than air travel.