Archive · 18 Sep 2026
Indonesia Recovers Three Bodies From Capsized Java Sea Ship
A passenger ship called the Virgo Transport 8 sank in the Java Sea during bad weather.
It was traveling from Surabaya to Banjarmasin with 243 people aboard.
Rescuers have confirmed that nine people died and 108 survived.
Another 126 people are still missing.
Divers found three more bodies inside the ship.
Strong waves and currents made it hard for rescuers to enter the vessel.
Officials plan to move the ship to shallower water and turn it upright.
They hope this will make it easier to search the ship and rescue people.
The Virgo Transport 8 capsized in bad weather while carrying 243 people from Surabaya to Banjarmasin.
Rescuers recovered three bodies—two males and one female—on the fifth day of the search.
Nine people have been confirmed dead, 108 survived, and 126 remain unaccounted for.
Authorities plan to pull the ship into shallower water and turn it upright to support rescue operations.
Strong winds, currents and waves have hampered the search, which involves eight ships and two helicopters.
- Who
- Passengers and crew aboard the Virgo Transport 8, along with Indonesian rescuers, navy personnel and maritime police.
- What
- A passenger ship capsized and sank; rescuers recovered three bodies while continuing to search for 126 missing people.
- When
- The ship capsized early on Sunday; three bodies were recovered on the fifth day of the search, reported on Friday, Sept. 18.
- Where
- The incident occurred in the Java Sea during a voyage from Surabaya in East Java to Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan.
- Why
- The ship capsized in bad weather, while strong winds, currents and waves hindered rescue efforts.
- Ship
- Virgo Transport 8
- People aboard
- 243
- Confirmed dead
- 9
- Survivors
- 108
- Unaccounted for
- 126
- Bodies recovered in latest operation
- 3
- Search resources
- Eight ships and two helicopters