A joint diving team comprising Basarnas, the Indonesian Navy (TNI\nAL), and potential SAR personnel conducted a sweep of various sections\nof the KM Virgo Transport 8, specifically focusing on the bridge and\ncabins, on Monday (28\/9).<\/p>\n
This search was carried out to locate victims suspected to be trapped\nwithin the hull of the vessel, which is currently overturned and\nsubmerged in the Masalembo waters of the Java Sea.<\/p>\n
According to a written statement from Basarnas, the joint diving\nteam\u2019s sweep was conducted gradually and with extreme caution to ensure\nthat all possible areas of the ship that could contain victims were\nthoroughly inspected.<\/p>\n
The condition of the shipwreck beneath the sea surface presents a\nsignificant challenge for divers. Furthermore, limited visibility and\ncramped spaces necessitate that the search process be conducted with\nutmost care, prioritising the safety of the divers.<\/p>\n
During the SAR operation on Monday (28\/9), the diving team\nsuccessfully located five victims. The victims were subsequently\nevacuated from the search site for identification and further medical\nhandling.<\/p>\n
Of these five victims, four were evacuated to the KRI Gusti Ngurah\nRai, while one was taken to the KN SAR Purworejo.<\/p>\n
Subsequently, four victims were transported to Banjarmasin using the\nTNI AL Helicopter HS 1331, and one victim was transported via the\nBasarnas Helicopter HR 3601. All victims were taken to the Bhayangkara\nHospital in Banjarmasin for identification and further treatment.<\/p>\n
The Head of Basarnas, Air Marshal Mohammad Syafii, stated that the\ndiscovery and evacuation of these five victims were the result of the\nhard work and synergy of all elements involved in the operation.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery victim successfully found is the result of the hard work,\nprecision, and synergy of all SAR components. We will continue to\nconduct the search to the maximum extent by deploying all available\nresources,\u201d Syafey said in his statement.<\/p>\n
With the discovery of these five victims, the total number of found\nindividuals has reached 179, consisting of 108 survivors and 71\ndeceased. Meanwhile, 64 people remain missing from a total manifest of\n243 people.<\/p>\n
The KM Virgo Transport 8 was reported to have lost contact in the\nJava Sea waters on Sunday (13\/9) at 02:00 WITA, while sailing from\nSurabaya to Banjarmasin since Saturday (12\/9).<\/p>\n
The vessel reportedly encountered bad weather and lost contact on 13\nSeptember 2026 at approximately 02:00 WITA. The ship was discovered on\nthe same day in an overturned condition in the Masalembo waters, Java\nSea.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/death-toll-from-km-virgo-rises-to-71-with-64-victims-still-missing-1790600451", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }