Third Day of Search for KM Virgo Ends Without Results, 129 Still Missing

The search operation for victims of KM Virgo Transport 8, which capsised in the Java Sea, entered its third day on Tuesday, 15 September 2026. However, no additional victims have been found over the past two days.

Head of the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), Air Marshal Mohammad Syafii, said that as of the third day of the operation, 129 people remain missing.

The joint SAR teams deployed by sea and air, including assistance from local communities and vessels passing through the area around the incident site, have not found any signs of additional victims.

“I can report that on the second and third days, all SAR elements — air, sea, and the communities we have deployed, as well as traffic passing through those waters — have not received any reports of signs of additional victims being found,” he said, quoted on Wednesday, 16 September 2026.

Despite the lack of progress in the search, Basarnas has confirmed that the operation will continue in order to locate the hundreds of victims whose whereabouts remain unknown.

“Basarnas will continue to carry out the operation in accordance with the provisions that form our basis,” he said.

On the third day, the search remained focused on the sea surface. The SAR teams have not yet been able to optimise underwater searches, as weather conditions around the incident site do not yet permit it.

Syafii said Basarnas had in fact prepared three teams to conduct underwater searches. However, the deployment of diving personnel and specialised underwater equipment must still await safer conditions.

“There are three teams we have prepared. I must convey that, given the weather conditions at the incident site, it was decided that it is not possible to proceed. Neither the personnel we would deploy nor the underwater equipment we would use can be operated yet,” he said.

KM Virgo Transport 8 was previously reported to have lost contact in the Java Sea on Sunday, 13 September 2026, at around 02.00 Central Indonesia Time.

The vessel had sailed from Surabaya to Banjarmasin since Saturday, 12 September 2026. The ship was known to be carrying 243 people, consisting of passengers, crew, and staff.

Of the total 243 people, 114 have been found so far. Meanwhile, the remaining 129 are still being sought by the joint SAR team.