Asia · Rescue operation ·
Indonesia ferry update: nine dead, 126 missing as divers enter wreck
Asia · Rescue operationIndonesian rescuers recovered three bodies from the sunken Virgo Transport 8 on September 18, raising the confirmed death toll to nine. Of 243 people aboard, 108 were rescued and 126 remain missing; the mission is still being treated as a rescue operation.
Why it matters
This remains a major developing maritime disaster. Strong currents, near-zero visibility and the vessel's structure are limiting access, while rescuers say survivors could still be inside sealed compartments.
Full report
Virgo Transport 8 capsized in bad weather on Sunday while travelling from Surabaya in East Java to Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan. The official manifest listed 243 people aboard, and 108 were rescued.
On Friday, divers broke a window and entered the vessel, recovering the bodies of two men and one woman. The confirmed toll rose from six to nine, while the missing count fell from 129 to 126. The figures may change as the operation continues.
Reuters reported that about 60 divers are part of an operation involving more than 1,100 personnel, 17 ships and five aircraft. Currents were initially close to seven knots, waves reached about 2.5 metres and underwater visibility was near zero.
The owner has begun trying to right the vessel with support from the navy, maritime police and national rescue agency. Officials still describe the mission as a rescue because sealed compartments may contain air; the cause remains under investigation.
This report is an original summary based on verified sources, not a verbatim reproduction.
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