2 days ago
Indonesia Plans to Right Capsized Ship as Search Stalls
A passenger ship in Indonesia turned over in rough weather.
It was traveling from Surabaya to Banjarmasin.
There were 243 people on board.
Six people died and 108 survived.
Rescuers are still looking for 129 missing people.
Strong waves and very fast water currents make diving dangerous.
Rescuers plan to study how to turn the ship upright.
They hope this will let them search the ship and help evacuate anyone inside.
Air and boat searches will continue while the plan is prepared.
Rescuers plan to assess on Thursday how to turn the capsized Virgo Transport 8 upright.
The ship was carrying 243 people from Surabaya to Banjarmasin when it capsized in bad weather early Sunday.
Six people died, 108 survived, and 129 remain missing, according to the latest tally.
Strong currents and large waves halted underwater searches, with currents reaching nearly 7 knots.
Air and surface searches found no missing people on Wednesday and will continue Thursday.
- Who
- Indonesian rescuers, the Indonesian Navy, and 129 missing passengers from the Virgo Transport 8 are involved.
- What
- Authorities plan to assess and potentially right the capsized passenger ship so they can search it and evacuate people.
- Where
- The ship capsized in the Java Sea, about 80 nautical miles from Banjarmasin port.
- When
- The ship capsized early Sunday; the assessment is planned for Thursday, September 18, following reports issued September 17.
- Why
- Strong currents and large waves have prevented a full underwater search of the overturned vessel.
Key facts
- Ship
- Virgo Transport 8
- People aboard
- 243
- Casualties and survivors
- Six dead and 108 survivors
- Missing
- 129 people
- Capsize location
- About 80 nautical miles (150 km) from Banjarmasin port
- Water depth
- About 29 metres
- Current speed
- Nearly 7 knots; diving is recommended below 1.5 knots
Quotes
Mohammad Syafii
Chief of Indonesia’s national rescue agency
“We plan to salvage the vessel by turning it upright and then conduct the search and evacuation. Once we are certain the operation is complete, the ship will be towed away for the investigation.”
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Sources
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