BANJARMASIN (TABIRkota) – The Banjarmasin Class A Search and Rescue Office (Basarnas) released an updated casualty report for the Virgo Transport 8—which sank in the Java Sea—confirming six fatalities as of Sunday (Sept. 13) at 14:30 Central Indonesian Time (WITA).
According to the Head of Basarnas Banjarmasin, I Putu Sudayana, the six deceased victims were evacuated by the tugboats TB Mauhaw IX and TB TCP, while all those evacuated by the MV Haida were reported safe.
“TB Mauhaw IX evacuated 16 people, consisting of 15 survivors and one deceased individual,” he said.
Meanwhile, TB TCP successfully evacuated 38 people, comprising 33 survivors and five deceased individuals.“Additionally, the MV Haida successfully evacuated 49 people from the Virgo Transport 8, and all of them were confirmed safe,” he stated.
As of Sunday (Sept. 13) at 14:30 WITA, a total of 103 people had been evacuated, with 97 survivors and six fatalities.
Earlier reports had indicated that 103 people were evacuated, consisting of 102 survivors and one fatality.
The Virgo Transport 8 was reported to have lost contact in the Java Sea on Sunday (Sept. 13) at 02:00 WITA while en route from Surabaya to Banjarmasin, having departed on Saturday (Sept. 12).
The 16 people evacuated by TB Mauhaw IX—including the one deceased victim—were taken to Tuban Port, while the 87 people evacuated by TB TCP and MV Haida were transported to Trisakti Port in Banjarmasin.
In conducting the search operation, the Banjarmasin Search and Rescue (SAR) Office is coordinating with various relevant agencies, including the Banjarmasin Harbormaster and Port Authority (KSOP), the Banjarmasin Naval Base (Lanal), the South Kalimantan Regional Police Water and Air Police Directorate (Ditpolairud), the Banjarmasin Navigation District, PT Pelindo Banjarmasin, and the Banjarmasin branch of the Virgo shipping agency.
Equipment prepared to support the operation includes the KN SAR Laksmana 241 vessel, a D-Max rescue vehicle, water rescue gear, two sets of diving equipment, communication devices, Starlink, and other supporting equipment.
Joint sea and air SAR operations are ongoing to sweep the incident site and search for 140 passengers who remain missing. (ra)
