Indonesian rescuers plan to right capsized ship as 129 remain missing

Indonesian rescue authorities are preparing to attempt to right the capsized Virgo Transport 8 ship in the Java Sea, as strong currents and large waves continue to impede an underwater search for the 129 people still unaccounted for. The vessel, carrying 243 passengers on a 20-hour voyage from Surabaya to Banjarmasin, capsized early Sunday during adverse weather conditions.

Six individuals lost their lives, while 108 survived. The ship's chief, Mohammad Syafii, announced on Wednesday that the assessment of the plan to turn the capsized vessel right side up would occur on Thursday, along with the selection of necessary equipment. This procedure, which typically takes about 24 hours under normal circumstances, could be extended if complications arise.

Prior underwater searches by Navy teams were halted due to currents exceeding 7 knots, a threshold that makes diving unsafe. As of Wednesday, no further individuals were found through air or sea surface searches. The ship, which is currently around 80 nautical miles (150 km) from Banjarmasin port and has drifted approximately 450 meters, is situated in waters approximately 29 meters deep.

Under Indonesian Maritime Law, the ship's owner is obligated to remove or tow the vessel if its presence interferes with shipping lanes.