71 Dead as Java Sea Ferry Search Hits Day 16: Why Divers Still Can’t Reach
Indonesian authorities recover five more bodies from the capsized Virgo Transport 8.
The ferry, carrying 243 passengers and crew, capsized on September 13 while en route from Surabaya in East Java to Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan. Only 108 people have been rescued, leaving 64 still unaccounted for as of Monday, September 28. Five more bodies were recovered from the wreck on that day, bringing the confirmed fatalities to 71.
Search teams, including divers from the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), the Indonesian Navy, and other rescue units, have encountered severe challenges inside the 4,277-tonne vessel. Fuel leaks, dense gases, loose debris, and sharp objects are hampering efforts to reach trapped compartments. The wreck itself remains unstable, shifting from side to side in the currents.
“Because of these reasons, the divers weren’t able to get into the compartments,” said I Putu Sudayana, a senior official from Indonesia’s search and rescue agency. He added that the ferry would need to be righted and brought to the surface before divers could safely access the remaining sections. The instability of the wreck has also delayed the recovery of additional bodies, prolonging the agony for families awaiting news of their loved ones.
Divers Face Deadly Obstacles Inside the Wreck: Search
The search operation, initially set to last seven days, has been extended multiple times. Yudhi Bramantyo, Operation Director of Basarnas, confirmed that the effort would continue for at least another week. “The search for 64 people, all presumed dead, has been extended for seven days,” he stated, though the latest figures indicate 64 are still missing.
The ferry’s owner and its insurance company are in the process of appointing a lead salvage contractor to assist in stabilizing and recovering the vessel. Two international firms, one from the United States and another from Britain, are being considered alongside Indonesia’s PT Jasa Salvage Indonesia (Jasalindo). The selected contractor will play a critical role in making the wreck accessible to search teams and preventing further environmental hazards from the leaking fuel.
Salvage Efforts and the Road Ahead
Heri Purwanto, head of Banjarmasin’s port authority, confirmed that the salvage operation would prioritize both the recovery of remains and the mitigation of environmental risks. “The contractor will be involved in dealing with the sunken vessel and helping make more parts of the wreck accessible,” he said. However, the timeline for these efforts remains uncertain, given the complexity of the operation.
For the families of the missing, the wait continues. The slow pace of the search has left many in limbo, hoping for closure but fearing the worst. As the operation drags on, authorities have urged patience, emphasizing the dangers faced by rescue teams working in the treacherous conditions of the Java Sea.
In the meantime, the search for the remaining victims remains the top priority.
Las autoridades mantendrán reuniones diarias con el equipo de salvamento para evaluar avances, mientras se fija como plazo inicial la próxima semana para ampliar el acceso a nuevas secciones del pecio. La comisión de investigación, que iniciará sesiones el 15 de este mes, supervisará los informes técnicos y coordinará con las familias las actualizaciones oficiales.
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