Bad weather hampers Virgo Transport ferry rescue

Three days after the Virgo Transport 8 ferry sank off Java island, rescue operations continue to face significant challenges due to adverse weather conditions. Nearly 1,100 rescuers, comprising naval and police personnel, along with several vessels and aircraft, have been deployed in the search effort. Yet, the high seas and strong winds have hampered progress.

As of Tuesday, 22 survivors were rescued and brought to a harbor in Banjarmasin. However, their evacuation to Trisakti Port was thwarted by the same weather obstacles. Four bodies were additionally airlifted to Banjarmasin on Tuesday. The death toll remains unchanged at six, while 129 individuals are still missing.

The ferry, carrying 234 people, departed from Surabaya on Saturday and was last heard from on Sunday morning. It was discovered inverted approximately 80 nautical miles away from Banjarmasin. The vessel was en route to Banjarmasin, a journey that typically takes around 20 hours.

Basarnas, the National Search and Rescue Agency, noted that the accident occurred despite the ferry losing contact with its shipping company shortly after leaving Surabaya. The exact cause of the capsizing has not been disclosed. Amidst the ongoing rescue mission, attention has also been drawn to the potential role of lax safety standards and unpredictable weather in such maritime disasters.