Search continues as some survivors brought ashore after Indonesia ferry overturning

Indonesia reported the loss of at least six lives and 129 missing after a ferry capsized in rough seas off Java on Sunday, with survivors recounting scenes of panic. The Virgo Transport 8, carrying 213 passengers and 30 crew members, lost contact with its shipping company early Sunday after departing from Surabaya, East Java. Basarnas, Indonesia’s national search and rescue agency, confirmed six deaths and 129 missing persons, with 108 survivors rescued.

Survivor Rinto Arahap described passengers panicking, some climbing onto tables while others pushed each other in their struggle for life jackets. The vessel began listing around 2 am on Sunday (1800 GMT Saturday), with waves reaching more than 2 meters in height. After five hours, people began shouting and fighting for flotation devices as the ship tilted.

Arahap attributed the incident to a lack of warning from the crew, stating there was no official alert that the ship was listing. The first rescue ship arrived at a pier in Banjarmasin, on the southern coast of Borneo island, shortly after nightfall. Indonesian Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi confirmed the ship had capsized.

Local search and rescue chief I Putu Sudayana noted the captain had reported the vessel was tilting before losing contact. Rescuers faced waves up to 2.5 meters to reach the ferry, aided by two helicopters and other vessels from the navy, police, rescue agency, and the ferry company. The ship's last known position was in the Java Sea, roughly 150 kilometers from its destination.

Heri Purwanto, head of the Banjarmasin Sea Port Authority, stated they responded promptly to the incident report. Survivors, including Arahap, recounted losing their belongings, with some even losing personal items like their passports and school diplomas. Relatives and friends of the passengers gathered at a command center at the Banjarmasin port to check updates on rescued individuals.

One survivor, Jenah, expressed her shock and sorrow, desperately seeking information about her brother who was traveling alone. She had not heard from him since the previous night. Maritime accidents are common in Indonesia, an archipelago of over 17,000 islands that heavily relies on boat transport and tourism. Safety standards and unpredictable weather conditions contribute to the frequent mishaps.

Last month, a fire aboard an Indonesian ferry claimed five lives and left 41 others missing after some jumped overboard.