Basarnas Considers Righting KM Virgo to Evacuate 129 Missing Victims

Basarnas has stated that underwater operations, one of the options for searching for the victims of KM Virgo Transport 8 in the Java Sea, cannot yet be executed. Other options to evacuate the remaining 129 missing victims are being continuously pursued.

The Head of Basarnas RI, Mohammad Syafii, stated that another option for searching for victims involves using a self-righting kit to return the ship to its original position. However, he noted that this process will take a significant amount of time.

“Yesterday, a team of experts with experience reported that if everything goes smoothly, the self-righting kit process will take approximately 24 hours,” said Syafii, as reported by detikKalimantan on Wednesday (16/09/2026).

However, should difficulties arise during the execution of the self-righting operation, it is possible that it will take even longer. Consequently, the agency is still considering other rescue options.

“If there are difficulties during the operation, it will take more time, and we do not know what conditions we will face later; that is a plan we will implement and process,” he emphasised.

It is known that since the second day of the search for the 129 missing victims of the Virgo ship, diving options had been selected to inspect the interior of the vessel. However, Syafii revealed that this option cannot yet be implemented due to bad weather and high waves, which have caused diving operations to be postponed.