South Kalimantan Regional Police Deploy Three Ships to Search for Virgo Ship Victims

The Water and Air Police Directorate (Ditpolairud) of the South Kalimantan Regional Police has deployed three ships to assist in the search process for the victims of the Virgo Transport 8, which sank in the waters of the Java Sea.

“The patrol ship team is sweeping the area around the coordinates where the ship went missing,” said the Head of Public Relations for the South Kalimantan Regional Police, Kombes Pol Nur Khamid, in Banjarmasin on Sunday (13/09).

The deployed vessels include KP. XIII - 3001, KP. XIII - 2004, and KP. XIII - 1008.

In addition to the Regional Police, the Korpolairud Baharkam Polri team is also assisting in the search for the victims, who have not yet been found.

“All elements of the National Police in the waters are moving by deploying patrol ships alongside the joint SAR team coordinated by Basarnas,” explained Khamid.

The follow-up plan from the South Kalimantan Regional Police includes continuous coordination with Korpolairud Baharkam Polri, Basarnas, and the Class I KSOP Banjarmasin to regulate shipping traffic around the incident site.

“The team’s current focus is, of course, the search and rescue operation,” he added.

Out of the total 243 passengers transported by the Virgo Transport 8 from Surabaya to Banjarmasin, 107 people have been rescued and six deceased individuals have been found. Meanwhile, 130 others are still in the process of being searched for.

As of Sunday night, 69 rescued passengers transported by the MV Haida arrived at Trisakti Port, Banjarmasin. Other survivors, including the deceased, are still in transit via several other vessels.