Indonesian authorities are conducting an emergency search and rescue operation using divers and underwater drones for 129 people who remain missing after a ferry carrying more than 240 passengers and crew capsized in the Java Sea.
The ferry, named “Virgo Transport 8,” was traveling from Surabaya in East Java province to Banjarmasin on the island of Borneo on September 13 when it tilted amid rough seas and high waves before sending a distress call, according to reports.
Contact with the ferry was lost at around 2 a.m. on September 13. About two hours later, authorities received reports that the vessel had capsized in the Java Sea.
Indonesian authorities have confirmed that six people died and 129 remain missing following the accident. So far, 108 people have been rescued alive with the help of nearby fishing boats and rescue teams, while the bodies of the six deceased have also been recovered.
The National Search and Rescue Agency began deploying a rescue team on September 14, involving 622 personnel from the military and police, along with 17 vessels and aircraft.
The head of the rescue operation said naval underwater drones and specialized diving teams were also being deployed to quickly search for people who may be trapped inside the sunken vessel.
According to the passenger manifest, the ferry was carrying 213 passengers, 30 crew members and 89 vehicles. However, reports noted that passengers sometimes travel without being included on official manifests in Indonesia, meaning the actual number of missing people could be higher than the official figure.
Survivors and relatives of missing passengers have been anxiously waiting at rescue centers as authorities continue to intensify search and rescue efforts.
Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, relies heavily on ferries for transportation and the movement of goods between islands. Ferry accidents have also occurred periodically due to weaknesses in maritime safety standards and compliance with safety regulations.
Source: AP
