Indonesia Ferry Disaster: Death Toll Rises to 71 as 64 Remain Missing

Indonesia Ferry Disaster: Death Toll Rises to 71 as 64 Remain Missing

The death toll from the Virgo Transport 8 ferry disaster in Indonesia has risen to 71, while rescue teams continue searching for 64 people still missing nearly three weeks after the vessel capsized.

The ferry was carrying 243 people when it overturned in bad weather in the Java Sea on September 13 while travelling from Surabaya in East Java to Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan. A total of 108 people have been confirmed to have survived.

The latest recovery effort brought 18 more bodies from waters around Seruyan and Sukamara, while five bodies were also recovered from inside the 4,277-tonne wreck.

Rescuers are still facing serious obstacles inside the sunken vessel. The ferry remains unstable and continues to tilt, while sharp debris, leaking fuel and concentrated gas have made it dangerous for divers to enter some compartments.

Senior search official I Putu Sudayana said the condition of the wreck was preventing divers from reaching some areas where victims could still be trapped.

Authorities believe the vessel may need to be brought upright and raised before a more extensive search can take place.

Search teams have expanded their efforts beyond the wreck, particularly along coastal areas of Central Kalimantan.

Police, military personnel, local communities and fishermen are assisting in the search for victims who may have been carried away from the sinking site.

Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency has also continued sending alerts to vessels operating along the ferry’s route, asking crews to report any possible discoveries.

The prolonged operation has left families waiting for news of relatives who remain unaccounted for.

Authorities have extended the search while the ferry’s owner and insurers consider salvage contractors to help recover and reposition the vessel.

The disaster has again drawn attention to Indonesia’s dependence on ferry transport. With thousands of islands spread across the country, ferries remain an important means of moving people and goods between communities.

For now, rescuers remain focused on finding the missing and recovering victims despite the difficult conditions surrounding the wreck.