South Kalimantan Governor Calls for Safety Review After Virgo Transport 8 Sinking

Governor of South Kalimantan, Muhidin, has called for a thorough review of maritime transport safety following the sinking of the KM Virgo Transport 8 in the Java Sea. He emphasized that maritime safety is not merely a technical issue, but also about human safety and lives. Every passenger on board is not just a number on a manifest, but a family with parents, children, spouses, siblings, and loved ones.

The vessel, KM Virgo Transport 8, departed from Surabaya to Banjarmasin with 243 people on board. The incident occurred on September 13, 2026, when the ship encountered bad weather, lost communication, and sank at 02:00 WITA. As of 12:00 WITA on the same day, six fatalities had been confirmed among the 103 people rescued.

Governor Muhidin has directed the South Kalimantan Provincial Government to work with all relevant parties until the incident is fully resolved. He urged the public to pray for the safety of the victims still missing and support the families awaiting news of their loved ones. The government and community stand with the victims and their families during this tragedy.

The search and rescue operation is underway, led by Basarnas (National Search and Rescue Agency) in collaboration with various agencies including the Indonesian National Armed Forces, Indonesian National Police, and harbor authorities. Healthcare facilities in South Kalimantan have been instructed to be on high alert to provide immediate medical care to the rescued victims. Governor Muhidin ordered that all relevant medical supplies and support be ready to ensure victims receive aid promptly.

Muhidin stressed that the families of the victims should receive clear, prompt, accurate, and reliable information throughout this ordeal. He also urged the public not to spread unverified information, photos, or videos related to the incident.