SAR Update for KM Virgo Passengers: 108 Saved, 18 Dead, 117 Still Missing

The joint search and rescue (SAR) team has once again discovered victims of the KM Virgo Transport 8 accident in the Masalembo waters, Java Sea. On this occasion, three victims were found and are being transported to Banjarbaru.

“Yes, three bodies were evacuated via KN SAR Pacitan,” said the Head of the Banjarmasin Class A SAR Office, I Putu Sudayana, to reporters on Tuesday (22/09/2026).

Sudayana stated that the three bodies were found this morning by the joint SAR team, which conducted diving operations and searched the corners of the sunken KM Virgo. The bodies were subsequently evacuated via helicopter to Syamsudin Noor Airbase in Banjarbaru.

Upon arrival at Syamsudin Noor Airbase, the three bodies will be taken to Bhayangkara Hospital in Banjarmasin for further processing and identification.

“The bodies were found by a joint diving team consisting of the Indonesian Navy, BSG, and divers from Jasalindo. All three are heading to Syamsudin Noor Airbase,” he said.

With the discovery of these three bodies, Basarnas records that a total of 126 victims have been found. The breakdown consists of 108 survivors and 18 fatalities.

Meanwhile, 117 victims are still in the search process. According to the manifest, there were a total of 243 people on board the KM Virgo Transport 8.

“For today, there are 3 (bodies), and the number may increase,” he added.

KM Virgo Transport 8 sank on Sunday (13/09) while traversing the Java Sea due to bad weather and high waves. The vessel departed from Tanjung Perak Port, Surabaya, on Saturday (12/09) en route to Trisakti Port, Banjarmasin.