Death toll from Java Sea ferry sinking jumps to 64

The death toll from the Virgo Transport 8 ferry sinking in the Java Sea has risen to 64, officials announced on Saturday. Rescuers extended their search for the 71 people still unaccounted for, indicating they may yet be found alive. The vessel, en route from Surabaya, East Java, to Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, departed on September 13, 2022, with 213 passengers and 30 crew members.

Of the 243 individuals on board, 172 have been rescued, 108 survived the accident, 64 lost their lives, and 71 remain missing. On Saturday, four more bodies were recovered from the submerged ship, while seven others were discovered onshore. The search and rescue operation will continue for an additional seven days, with evaluations conducted every three days.

In Indonesia, such marine disasters are not uncommon, as the country's vast archipelago of over 17,000 islands heavily relies on boat transport and tourism. Lax safety regulations and unpredictable weather conditions frequently contribute to these tragic events.