Bad Weather Prevents Divers from Searching for KM Virgo Victims

Basarnas has stated that the underwater search process for the victims of KM Virgo Transport 8 in the Java Sea, involving divers, can only proceed on Monday (14/9).

The Head of Basarnas, Air Marshal Mohammad Syafii, explained that the current weather conditions around the location are unsuitable for divers to be deployed.

“We announced this morning that we planned to carry out underwater operations, but I must convey that due to the unworkable weather conditions, the teams we have prepared—including Kopaska from the Indonesian Navy, a special diving team from the Navy, and teams from the National Search and Rescue Agency—cannot be deployed today,” he said during a press conference on Monday.

Syafii noted that the Indonesian Navy has deployed the KRI Canopus to assist in the search process. The KRI Canopus is currently en route to the incident site.

He mentioned that the team will utilise various technologies onboard the KRI Canopus to conduct the underwater search. “We will conduct the underwater search using the technology available on the Canopus, including underwater drones, Multibeam Echo Sounders, and Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV) equipped on the ship,” he added.

To date, out of the 243 people on board the vessel, 114 have been found, while 129 others remain missing.

“Of the 114 victims found, 86 have been evacuated safely and brought to this pier. Additionally, two victims were evacuated after being found deceased,” said Syafii.

“Today, one victim has been handed over to their family, and one deceased victim has been transferred to the Indonesian National Police’s Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) unit,” he continued.

KM Virgo Transport 8 was reported to have lost contact in the Java Sea waters on Sunday (13/9) at 02:00 WITA, while sailing from Surabaya to Banjarmasin since Saturday (12/9). The KM Virgo is reported to be carrying 243 people, including passengers and crew members.