126 Victims of KM Virgo Transport 8 Still Missing, Basarnas Deploys 89 Personnel
The search and rescue operation for the victims of the KM Virgo Transport 8 accident is entering its eighth day on Sunday, 20 September 2026. Basarnas is strengthening the search efforts by deploying the KN SAR Kamajaya, carrying 89 personnel, to the Masalembo waters in the Java Sea.
KN SAR Kamajaya departed from Trisakti Port, Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, on Saturday night. The vessel carries personnel alongside various SAR equipment to support the search process for victims who remain missing.
Basarnas Operations Director, Rear Admiral TNI Yudhi Bramantyo Nur Sasongko, stated that the deployment of KN SAR Kamajaya is part of an effort to maximise field operations.
“Tonight, we are shifting personnel strength from the KN SAR Kamajaya. There are 89 personnel on the KN SAR Kamajaya,” said Yudhi.
According to Yudhi, all forces will be utilised according to the directions of the SAR Mission Coordinator (SMC). Previously implemented search methods will also continue to be maximised, including patrols using maritime units.
“We will utilise this time by continuing the operations as instructed by the SMC; as usual, we will maximise maritime patrols to ensure optimal results,” Yudhi added.
Operation Extended by 7 Days
This additional deployment of personnel follows an evaluation by Basarnas regarding the implementation of the operation up to the seventh day. Based on the evaluation results, the SAR operation has been decided to be extended for the next seven days.
As of Saturday night at 21:00 WITA, Basarnas recorded that 117 victims have been found. Specifically, 108 individuals were found safe, while nine others have been confirmed dead.
However, 126 people remain missing. This figure refers to the manifest of KM Virgo Transport 8, which was recorded carrying 243 people on a voyage from Surabaya, East Java, to Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan.
Ship Found Capsized
KM Virgo Transport 8 was reported to have encountered problems after facing bad weather during its journey to Banjarmasin.
The ship departed from Surabaya on 12 September 2026. A day later, on 13 September 2026, at approximately 02:00 WITA, the ship was reported to have lost contact.
On the same day, the vessel was eventually found in the Masalembo waters, Java Sea, in a capsized condition.
Search efforts for the victims are being conducted by a joint SAR team. Entering the eighth day, Basarnas is once again optimising personnel strength and maritime units to search for the 126 victims who are still missing.