Search Area Expanded as 129 People Remain Missing Following KM Virgo 8 Capsizing
Basarnas has once again expanded the search area for the 129 victims of the KM Virgo Transport 8 capsizing incident in the Java Sea on Wednesday (16/9).
On this fourth day of the SAR operation, the search commenced in the morning, involving several strategic assets from Basarnas, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the National Police (Polri), and the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB).
“At sea, the Joint SAR Team has expanded the sweeping area to 6,120 NM², divided into six sectors, each covering approximately 1,020 NM²,” said I Putu Sudayana, Head of the Class A Search and Rescue Office in Banjarmasin, to reporters on Wednesday.
“SAR vessels and Indonesian Navy elements have been deployed to the designated sectors to ensure the search area can be swept systematically,” he added.
The maritime search involves the deployment of KN SAR Laksmana 241, KN SAR Wisanggeni, KN SAR Kamajaya, KN SAR Permadi, and RBB Palangkaraya.
Aerial searches are supported by the Basarnas HR 3601, the BNPB Dauphin AS365N3+ helicopter, the BNPB PK-SNK Caravan, the Indonesian Navy CN-235, and the Indonesian Navy Panther HS 1310 helicopter.
The aerial search is being conducted in a planned manner based on sector division. The BNPB Cessna PK-SNK aircraft has been directed to sweep Sector R, covering 1,491 NM², while the Basarnas HR 3601 and the Polri P-3013 are on standby to support the operation, including air evacuation needs.
Putu noted that the deployment of these various assets is part of the Joint SAR Team’s maximum effort to find the victims of the Virgo ship.
“Every element is moving according to the search sectors and the established operational plan, with continuous coordination to optimise all available resources,” he said.
KM Virgo Transport 8 was reported to have lost contact in the Java Sea waters on Sunday (13/9) at 02:00 WITA, while sailing from Surabaya to Banjarmasin since Saturday (12/9). The KM Virgo is reported to be carrying 243 people, including passengers and crew.
As of Monday (14/9), out of the 243 people on board the vessel, 114 have been successfully found, while 129 others remain missing.