21 Days On, Basarnas Continues SAR Operations for KM Virgo Transport 8
Basarnas has decided to continue the search and rescue (SAR) operations for the victims of KM Virgo Transport 8 after 21 days. This decision was made to search for the 55 victims who remain missing. However, the implementation of the operation will now be adjusted according to the conditions and working areas of three SAR offices, namely Banjarmasin, Palangka Raya, and Pontianak.
“The SAR operation has not been stopped or closed. This is because we remain hopeful that there are still victims within this ship that we can later evacuate and return to their families with dignity,” said the Head of Basarnas, Mohammad Syaf Disfii, during a press conference regarding the progress of the SAR operation on the 21st day of the KM Virgo Transport 8 accident, in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, on Saturday night (3/10/2026).
He emphasised that the government continues to provide special attention to the search and evacuation efforts for the victims of KM Virgo Transport 8 who have not yet been found. The operation will be carried out to the maximum extent possible, including the search for victims believed to still be inside the vessel.
“Therefore, the government’s special focus is to carry out the operation as extensively as possible for the victims of the Virgo ship who have not yet been found,” he said.
After the SAR operation has lasted for 21 days, Basarnas has decided that the implementation of the operation will be adjusted to the respective working areas of each SAR office. Subsequent searches will be conducted through the Banjarmasin SAR Office in South Kalimantan, the Palangka Raya SAR Office in Central Kalimantan, and the Pontianak SAR Office in West Kalimantan.
“The command post in Banjarmasin remains unchanged. What has changed is the adjustment regarding perhaps the number of personnel, but I believe the core elements will not undergo any changes,” said Syafii.
He emphasised that the SAR command post in Banjarmasin will remain the centre for conducting the SAR operation, involving all necessary elements required for the search and evacuation of the KM Virgo Transport 8 victims.
“At this command post, there are still colleagues from all elements, including the harbour master, the TNI (Indonesian National Armed Forces), the Police, the ship owners, and all other relevant parties,” said Mohammad Syafii.
As of the 21st day of the SAR operation, Saturday at 22:00 WITA, Basarnas confirmed that 188 people have been found, consisting of 108 survivors and 80 deceased, while 55 other victims are still in the process of being searched for out of a total of 243 people on the KM Virgo Transport 8 manifest.