BANJARMASIN (TABIRkota) – A joint diving team comprising the Basarnas Special Group (BSG), the Indonesian Navy’s Kopaska and 2nd Fleet Command (Koarmada II), and PT Jasalindo successfully recovered the bodies of nine victims from the KM Virgo Transport 8 after navigating challenging underwater currents on Wednesday (Sept 23).
According to the Head of the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), Air Marshal Mohammad Syafi’i, the nine bodies were successfully retrieved from the shipwreck and transferred to the rescue vessel KN SAR Pacitan.
"Subsequently, the bodies of the nine KM Virgo Transport victims were airlifted by a Basarnas HR 3601 helicopter to Syamsudin Noor Air Force Base in Banjarbaru," he said.
Upon arrival at Syamsudin Noor Air Force Base, he noted, the nine bodies were immediately transported to Bhayangkara Hospital in Banjarmasin for identification and further processing.
"The successful recovery of these nine victims is the result of the hard work and courage of the entire SAR team, who persisted in the search despite difficult underwater conditions," he stated.
He added that search and recovery operations are continuing, utilizing the full capabilities of all SAR units, even though underwater conditions remain challenging for the divers.
"Every victim found represents a solemn responsibility for us to recover and return to their families," he added.
The joint SAR team remains committed to continuing the search until all victims are found.
The SAR operation is currently ongoing, involving personnel from Basarnas, BSG, the TNI (military), the National Police (Polri), and other SAR resources.
Previously, the KM Virgo Transport 8, carrying 243 passengers, was reported to have lost contact in the Java Sea early Sunday morning (Sept 13) at around 02:00 AM, while en route from Surabaya to Banjarmasin after departing on Saturday (Sept 12). (ra)
