Archive · 13 Sep 2026
Indonesia Passenger Ship Sinks After Losing Contact; Rescue Underway
A ship in Indonesia got into trouble in the Java Sea.
The ship was called Virgo Transport 8 and had 243 people aboard.
It was traveling from Surabaya to Banjarmasin.
Bad weather happened, and the ship stopped communicating early Sunday.
Its last known location was about 150 kilometers from Banjarmasin.
Officials later said the ship had sunk.
Rescue teams used boats and a helicopter to look for people.
Different reports gave different numbers for survivors, deaths and people still missing.
Virgo Transport 8, carrying 243 people including 30 crew members, lost contact in the Java Sea early Sunday during bad weather.
The passenger and cargo ship had departed Surabaya on Saturday for Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan.
Its last detected position was about 150 kilometers from Banjarmasin pier, and authorities later said the vessel had sunk.
Rescuers used ships, a helicopter and personnel to search the vessel’s last known position and evacuate survivors.
Reports gave differing figures: one account said 103 people were evacuated, one died and 140 remained missing, while another said 107 were rescued, six died and 130 remained missing.
- Who
- Virgo Transport 8 and its 243 passengers and crew; Indonesian search and rescue officials coordinated the response.
- What
- The passenger and cargo ship lost contact, was later reported sunk, and prompted a search and rescue operation.
- When
- The ship departed Saturday and lost contact at about 2 a.m. Sunday; rescue and casualty figures were reported later Sunday.
- Where
- The incident occurred in the Java Sea, about 150 kilometers from Banjarmasin pier, on the route from Surabaya to Banjarmasin.
- Why
- The vessel encountered bad weather before contact was lost.
- Vessel
- Virgo Transport 8
- People aboard
- 243, including 30 crew members
- Route
- Surabaya, East Java, to Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan
- Contact lost
- Approximately 2 a.m. Sunday
- Last known position
- Java Sea, approximately 150 kilometers from Banjarmasin pier
- Rescue response
- Ships, a helicopter and personnel were sent toward the last known position
- Reported casualty figures
- Accounts differed: 103 evacuated and one dead, or 107 rescued and six dead; missing totals were reported as 140 or 130
Sources
Indonesian passenger ship with 243 onboard loses contact; one dies, 103 evacuated: What we know so far
Rescuers search for 130 people after Indonesia passenger ship sinks; six dead, government says
Indonesia passenger ship with 243 people reported missing at sea
Rescuers Searching for 140 People After Indonesia Passenger Ship Sinks
