Families desperate for news as 129 still missing four days after capsize of ship in Indonesia's Java Sea

Banjarmasin: As four days pass since the vessel Virgo Transport 8 capsized in Indonesia's Java Sea, leaving 129 people unaccounted for, the families' desperation and frustration are escalating. The stormy seas and unfavorable weather conditions have hampered search-and-rescue efforts. The ship was transporting 243 individuals from Surabaya in East Java to Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan when it capsized on Sunday morning.

The official death toll remains at six, with 108 survivors, but the count of missing people has not altered since the incident occurred.

Fauzi, a 37-year-old who has been waiting for news about his seven family members who were aboard, expressed his diminishing hope. He questioned the purpose of having advanced military equipment if it cannot be effectively used to save lives, suggesting it might be better suited for warfare. Frustrated by the lack of certainty, he emphasized the need for clear information.

The Coast Guard and Navy have been unable to conduct underwater search-and-rescue operations due to the hazardous conditions near the capsized ship. Six ships, along with helicopters and aircraft, have carried out a surface search operation, but the challenging weather has limited their effectiveness. Maria Dethan, a 21-year-old who has remained at the rescue command centre in Banjarmasin, anxiously waits for news of her brother Samuel, feeling his hunger and despair. She desperately needs clear information about her brother's fate.