Hundreds of Passengers on Virgo Ship Still Missing, SAR Reveals Evacuation Obstacles

Hundreds of passengers from KM Virgo Transport 8, which sank in the Masalembo waters of the Java Sea, have yet to be found. Basarnas has revealed several obstacles causing the prolonged search for victims.

The Head of Basarnas, Mohammad Syafii, stated that the SAR team is facing numerous challenges in the search efforts. Weather conditions, waves, underwater currents, and limited visibility inside the ship are the primary challenges, particularly for divers.

“The unstable underwater conditions mean that the diving process must be carried out with careful calculation. Strong currents and low visibility make it difficult for divers to navigate the interior of the ship and locate victims,” said Syafii when contacted on Wednesday (23/09/2026).

KM Virgo Transport 8 sank on Sunday (13/09) while traversing the Java Sea due to bad weather and high waves. This means the search process has been ongoing for 10 days.

According to manifest data, there were a total of 243 passengers on KM Virgo Transport 8. Based on data up to Tuesday (22/09), 126 people have been found, with a breakdown of 108 survivors and 18 fatalities. Meanwhile, 117 others are still being searched for.

Syafii added that the joint SAR team continues to optimise the search process via sea, air, and the Basarnas Special Group (BSG) diving team. Every dive is conducted with strict consideration for personnel safety and the conditions at the site.

“We understand the hopes of the families waiting for certainty. The conditions on the ground are indeed difficult, but we continue to carry out the search to the maximum extent possible. The safety of the divers is a priority, but our efforts to find the victims will continue as long as the operation remains feasible,” he explained.