Indonesia rescuers searching for 129 people still missing after passenger ship capsizes

Jakarta: Over 600 Indonesian rescuers are currently scouring the Java Sea for 129 people who remain unaccounted for following a passenger ship capsizing over the weekend, according to an official announcement on Monday. The death toll remains unchanged at six, as authorities continue to rescue survivors from the ill-fated Virgo Transport 8 ship, which was carrying a total of 243 passengers when it sank in rough weather early Sunday.

The rescue agency has deployed 622 personnel and approximately 12 ships to intensify the search efforts.

I Putu Sudayana, head of the Banjarmasin rescue agency, confirmed to Reuters that the search for the missing individuals has been ongoing since early Monday morning. The damaged vessel, which was en route from Surabaya in East Java to Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan, now lies capsized and partially submerged in rough, blue waters, with its distinct red-and-black hull visible above the surface.

Photos and videos shared by the rescue agency reveal two smaller boats carrying survivors floating nearby amidst the tumultuous sea.

Earlier on Sunday, Edy Prakoso, another official from the national rescue agency, reported that the ship had tilted heavily to one side after being struck by strong waves on its starboard side. The cause of the accident is still under investigation, with Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi stating that a passing helicopter first reported the vessel capsizing.

Ferry travel is a common mode of transportation across Indonesia's 17,000 islands, as it is often more affordable and accessible than air travel. However, maritime accidents are not uncommon in the region, with multiple incidents occurring in recent months. In separate incidents last month, two ferries carrying hundreds of passengers caught fire while at sea, resulting in five deaths off Madura island and one fatality in a fire on a ferry traveling between Bali and other islands.