Ferry Tragedy in Java Sea Leaves Over 130 Missing

Rescuers in Indonesia report that about 130 passengers and crew are unaccounted for after a ferry sinking in the Java Sea. The ferry, carrying over 240 people, capsized due to adverse weather conditions on Sunday. Authorities indicated that at least 107 individuals were rescued while six bodies have been recovered.

Ferry’s Voyage and Distress Call

The vessel was en route from Surabaya in East Java to Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan province. Before its last communication, the ship’s captain reported encountering severe weather with waves reaching up to 3 meters. The distress signal mentioned that the ship was listing, as shared by I Putu Sudayana, the head of the Banjarmasin Search and Rescue Office.

The rescue command received reports around two hours after communication ceased with the operated ferry, known as Virgo Transport 8, at approximately 2 a.m. A coordinated operation was launched, involving rescue ships and aircraft, to locate the ferry’s last reported position.

Ongoing Search and Rescue Efforts

Initially, the ferry was located about 148 kilometers from Banjarmasin’s pier in the Java Sea. According to the passenger manifest, the ferry carried 243 individuals, comprising 213 passengers and 30 crew, though such records in Indonesia often differ from actual numbers.

Sudayana stated that the rescue efforts involve collaboration with maritime experts and authorities, with weather conditions closely monitored. Efforts to recover more survivors continue, with over 107 rescued by Sunday afternoon.

Impact on Families and Relatives

Distraught families have gathered at a command center in Banjarmasin’s Trisakti port, anxiously waiting for news about their loved ones aboard the ferry. Passenger lists and announcements are closely scrutinized as families hope for positive updates.

Bunga, a woman waiting at the port, expressed relief on hearing her uncle was rescued after initially discovering his name on the passenger list.

Ferry Safety Concerns in Indonesia

Ferry incidents in Indonesia, an archipelago comprising over 17,000 islands, are not uncommon. Safety enforcement is often cited as a cause for various maritime disasters. A similar incident occurred recently near Bali, where 211 people were rescued from a burning ferry. Meanwhile, in the Philippines, a ferry incident resulted in 76 fatalities.