5 days ago
Rescuers Battle Rough Seas Searching for 129 After Ship Capsizes
A passenger ship in Indonesia tipped over in the Java Sea.
It was traveling from Surabaya to Banjarmasin.
The ship was carrying 243 people.
Rescuers saved 108 people, but 129 were still missing.
Six people were confirmed dead.
Strong winds and waves as high as three metres made the rescue difficult.
More than 600 rescuers and many boats and aircraft were searching.
Rescue workers were waiting for safer conditions before sending underwater specialists into the ship.
The Virgo Transport 8 capsized in the Java Sea after encountering severe weather on Sunday.
The ship was carrying 243 people while traveling from Surabaya to Banjarmasin.
Authorities rescued 108 people, while 129 remained missing and six deaths were confirmed.
At least 622 rescuers, 17 ships, and five helicopters and aircraft joined the search.
Strong winds and waves reaching three metres prevented divers from safely entering the vessel.
- Who
- The 243 people aboard the Virgo Transport 8, along with Indonesian rescuers, coastguard and navy personnel.
- What
- A passenger ship capsized, leaving 129 people missing, 108 rescued and six confirmed dead.
- Where
- In the Java Sea, about 80 nautical miles from Trisakti Port in Banjarmasin.
- When
- The ship went missing early Sunday; rescuers continued the search on Monday.
- Why
- Waves as high as three metres and strong winds caused the ship to lean heavily and made rescue operations difficult.
Key facts
- Ship
- Virgo Transport 8
- People aboard
- 243
- Rescued
- 108
- Still missing
- 129
- Confirmed deaths
- 6
- Search deployment
- At least 622 personnel, 17 ships, and five helicopters and aircraft
- Weather conditions
- Waves up to three metres, strong winds and turbulent seas
Quotes
Mohammad Syafii
Head of Indonesia's national rescue agency
“We would also deploy personnel with underwater rescue skills but the current conditions do not allow us to.”
theprint.in
“The conditions there are quite windy, making it difficult for the vessel to dock.”
theprint.in
Sources
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