Indonesia rescuers battle turbulent seas in search for 129 people after passenger ship capsizes

Indonesian rescuers, comprising the coast guard and navy, are tirelessly working to locate 129 missing individuals following a passenger ship capsizing in the Java Sea over the weekend, with a confirmed death toll of six. The Virgo Transport 8, carrying 243 people, disappeared in harsh weather conditions early Sunday. Rescuers have so far recovered 108 individuals from the vessel, which was en route from Surabaya in East Java to Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan.

Boisterous seas with towering waves and gusty winds are hampering the search efforts on Monday, according to Mohammad Syafii, head of the national rescue agency. The team has dispatched around 622 personnel, 17 vessels, five helicopters, and aircraft for the search. Some ships have already arrived at the scene, but the submerged and capsized ship proves challenging to access. Specialized rescue personnel are being sought, pending improved weather.

A video shared by the rescue agency depicts a large red-and-black ship capsized and partially submerged in turbulent blue waters, with its red-painted underside visible above the surface. Two smaller boats, each carrying people, are floating nearby in rough waters. The incident occurred approximately 80 nautical miles (nearly 150 km) from the command center at Trisakti Port in Banjarmasin, as per another official, Arianto Ardi.

The current weather conditions, with winds and waves as high as three meters, impede rescue vessel docking. As of Monday afternoon, none of the 129 missing persons have been found, with rescuers still unable to conduct a full search due to the weather.