129 Victims Still Missing, Basarnas Attempts to Raise Virgo Shipwreck

The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) has revealed that there has been no increase in the number of victims successfully evacuated from the Virgo Transport 8 vessel. Basarnas is now attempting to raise the shipwreck.

So far, the number of victims successfully evacuated remains at 114. There are 108 survivors and six fatalities resulting from the ship accident in the Java Sea.

“As of today, there has been no increase in the number of victims found,” said the Director of Operations at Basarnas, Rear Admiral Yudhi Bramantyo Nur Sasongko, on Thursday (17/09/2026) evening.

He stated that the agency will now continue the evacuation operation following instructions from leadership, which involve lifting and overturning the shipwreck. This option was chosen after search efforts failed to yield further results.

“Regarding the operation to continue after 114 victims were successfully evacuated, based on leadership instructions, we have decided to attempt to lift the shipwreck,” said Bramantyo.

Bramantyo explained that the plan to tow the ship will be directed to the nearest location from the incident site, potentially bringing it to Trisakti Port in Banjarmasin. Once the lifting operation is successful, the agency will immediately proceed with the evacuation of the victims.

“If it can be lifted, we will carry out the evacuation process; we hope our fellow citizens are still inside. The nearest option would be to Banjarmasin,” he added.

It is known that since the second day of the search for the 129 missing victims of the Virgo, diving options had been selected to inspect the interior of the ship. However, this option could not be implemented due to bad weather and high waves, which forced the postponement of diving operations.

As the search enters its fourth day, diving options are still being planned for execution. However, weather conditions and current speeds have exceeded the maximum limit of 0.5 knots.