Virgo Transport 8 Ferry Sinks in Java Sea, Indonesian Rescuers Say Six Dead, 130 Missing

A ferry identified as the Virgo Transport 8, carrying 243 people, lost contact in the Java Sea after encountering bad weather, with Indonesian rescuers later saying six people died and 130 were missing.

“Six people have died and 107 have been rescued”

BBC

BBC reported that the ship was carrying 243 people and that the search began after contact was lost as it encountered bad weather, with the ferry last reported about 150km (93 miles) south of Banjarmasin around 02:00 on Sunday.

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ABC News said the captain reported rough seas with waves up to 3 meters (10 feet) before issuing a distress message, and authorities later received information indicating the vessel had overturned and then sunk.A

ABC News also said the rescue agency in Banjarmasin received a report two hours after contact was lost with the Virgo Transport 8 at about 2 a.m. ASunday, and that the ship’s manifest listed 213 passengers and 30 crew members.

In a later update, BBC said six people had been recovered dead and 107 had been rescued, while the search for the remaining passengers continued.

BBC said a joint task force involving Indonesia's search and rescue agency, navy, maritime police and other parties was set up, with ships and a helicopter deployed and 280 personnel taking part in the rescue operation.

BBC also reported that an operations post to handle the accident was set up in the Trisakti Port area on Sunday morning, and that Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi said the incident will be investigated by Indonesia's National Transport Safety Committee.

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At the port, BBC described relatives seeking information, including Rusmilawati, who said she had not received any information from officials about whether her relatives had been rescued.

BBC quoted a WhatsApp status update from a relative that read: "The waves are really frightening tonight. Or is this just what it's normally like travelling by ship, rocking and crashing against the waves?"

ABC News said hundreds of relatives gathered at a command center in Banjarmasin's Trisakti port on Sunday awaiting word, and one woman, Bunga, said: "I was shocked when I saw my uncle’s name on the passenger list."A

As the search expanded, different outlets reported different missing totals, with BBC saying 130 people were still missing and CBS News saying about 140 passengers and crew were missing after the ferry overturned.

“"It is extremely risky for vessels. Even our Basarnas vessel, which is 40 metres (131ft) long, is at great risk"”

Al Jazeera

ABC News said the ship’s manifest listed 243 people — 213 passengers and 30 crew members — and that the rescue agency was closely monitoring weather conditions while working with maritime authorities and other relevant agencies.A

Al Jazeera reported that Basarnas said six people were killed and 130 were missing, and that 107 people had been rescued, with waves as high as 2.5 metres (8.2ft) hampering the operation.A

Al Jazeera quoted I Putu Sudayana saying: "It is extremely risky for vessels. AEven our Basarnas vessel, which is 40 metres (131ft) long, is at great risk," as rescue ships and a helicopter searched the area.

ABC News said officials with the Directorate General of Sea Transportation were still working to determine the cause of the incident and whether it had been due to "natural factors, technical factors or human factors."A