Basarnas continues SAR operations for KM Virgo after 21 days
Banjarmasin (ANTARA) - Basarnas has decided not to close and will continue the search and rescue (SAR) operations for the victims of KM Virgo Transport 8 after 21 days of searching for 55 more missing victims. However, the implementation will be adjusted across three provinces covering the Banjarmasin, Palangka Raya, and Pontianak regions.
“The SAR operation is not being 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 Syafey, during a press conference regarding the progress of the 21st day of the KM Virgo Transport 8 accident in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, on Saturday night.
He emphasised that the government’s special attention remains directed towards maximising efforts in the operation for the victims of KM Virgo Transport 8, including the search and evacuation of victims believed to still be inside the vessel.
“Therefore, the government’s special focus is to carry out the operation for the victims of the Virgo ship who have not yet been found as extensively as possible,” he stated.
After 21 days of SAR operations, Basarnas has decided to adjust and redirect the implementation of the KM Virgo Transport 8 SAR operation to the jurisdictions of 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 Syafey.
He emphasised that the SAR command post in Banjarmasin will continue to serve as the centre for the 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 sectors, including the harbour master’s office, the TNI (Indonesian National Armed Forces), the Police, the ship owners, and all other relevant parties,” Mohammad Syafey added.
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 fatalities, while 55 other victims remain in the search process out of a total of 243 people listed on the KM Virgo Transport 8 manifest.