Foreign Media Highlight Capsized Virgo Ship in Java Sea, Emphasise Safety Issues
Several foreign media outlets have drawn attention to the accident involving the Passenger Motor Ship (KMP) Virgo Transport 8. AFP, for instance, reported on how the vessel capsized in the Java Sea, resulting in several deaths and hundreds of people missing.
“The Head of the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), Mohammad Syafyl, stated on Monday that six people have been confirmed dead and 129 others are declared missing,” the site reported, as cited on Monday (14/9/2026).
“At least 108 others were successfully rescued the previous day,” he added in the article titled “Indonesia searches for missing passengers after ferry capsizes off Java”.
The report also noted that search operations are ongoing, with five aircraft and 17 vessels, including naval warships, being deployed.
“Maritime accidents are frequent occurrences in Indonesia, an archipelagic nation with over 17,000 islands that relies heavily on ship transport for daily mobility and tourism,” the media outlet added. “Loose safety standards and unpredictable weather are the primary causes of such disasters.”
AFP further noted that last week, a speedboat carrying eight people—including five journalists from local and international news agencies—was reported missing near Mount Anak Krakatau in Banten Province, with search operations still underway.
Reuters also reported on the incident, noting that video footage showed a large red and black ship in a capsized position, partially submerged in the waters, with the red-painted hull visible above the surface.
“Two small boats, each carrying people, were seen floating in the turbulent waters near the capsized ship,” the report stated.
“The location of the capsized ship is approximately 80 nautical miles (nearly 150 kilometres) from the command centre at Trisakti Port, Banjarmasin… The weather was very poor when the incident occurred, with waves as high as three metres hitting the ship,” Reuters added in the article titled “Indonesia rescuers battle turbulent seas in search for 129 people after passenger ship capsizes”.
Echoing AFP, Reuters also highlighted how reliance on ferries is vital in Indonesia as an archipelagic nation, particularly since sea travel is more affordable than air travel.
The report also reminded that prior to this incident, two other ferries transporting passengers had also experienced accidents and fires at sea, which also resulted in fatalities.
“Indonesia relies heavily on ferries to connect its 17,000 islands, as sea travel is cheaper and more accessible than air travel, yet accidents occur frequently,” the report stated.
“In a separate incident last month, two ferries carrying hundreds of passengers caught fire at sea. Five people died when a ferry caught fire in waters near Madura Island, while one person died in a fire on a ferry sailing from the tourist island of Bali,” it added.