Three Bodies Successfully Evacuated from Sunken KM Virgo
The KM Virgo Transport 8 has disappeared from the water’s surface, having sunk in the Java Sea. Members of the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) have undertaken diving operations to evacuate victims.
Three Indonesian Navy ships (KRI) have been deployed to the site of the KM Virgo’s sinking. Navy personnel also utilised Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIB) and lifeboats for the underwater search and rescue (SAR) operation.
Members of the Underwater Diver and Rescue Command (Koppeba) and the Frogman Command (Kopaska) were deployed to conduct underwater SAR operations for the passengers of KM Virgo Transport 8.
“Today, the TNI AL SAR Team (KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai-332, KRI Canopus-936, KRI Pulau Fani-731) deployed RHIBs and lifeboats carrying the Kopaska and Koppeba teams to conduct diving at the KM Virgo Transport 8 site,” stated Navy Communications Officer Rear Admiral Tunggul on Friday (18/09/2026).
The joint Navy team managed to enter the sunken vessel. They successfully evacuated three bodies, consisting of two men and one woman.
“As a result of the operation, the Koppeba and Kopaska teams managed to enter the ship’s compartments by breaking window glass, and three bodies were successfully evacuated,” he added.
The three deceased individuals were transferred from KM Virgo Transport 8 to KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai-332. Subsequently, KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai-332 proceeded towards Banjarmasin waters to facilitate the transfer of the bodies to land.
129 Victims Still Missing
The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) revealed that there has been no increase in the number of evacuees from the KM Virgo Transport 8. Basarnas is now working towards raising the shipwreck.
To date, the number of individuals successfully evacuated stands at 114. Out of the total, 108 people survived and six people have died in the maritime accident in the Java Sea.
“As of today, there has been no increase in the number of victims found,” said Basarnas Operations Director, Rear Admiral Yudhi Bramantyo Nur Sasongko, as reported on Thursday (17/09/2026) night.
It is noted that since the second day of the search for the 129 missing passengers of the Virgo, diving options were selected to inspect the interior of the ship. However, this option could not be implemented initially due to bad weather and high waves, which caused delays in the diving operations.
Following the evacuation of 114 victims, Basarnas is preparing steps to raise the shipwreck through a salvage operation. “Equipment belonging to the ship owner is being moved to support the salvage operation (righting the vessel). Further technical developments will be announced once the supporting equipment arrives and operational preparations can proceed,” said Yudhi.
By the fifth day of the SAR operation, as of Thursday (17/09) at 22:00 WITA, Basarnas confirmed that 114 victims had been found, comprising 108 survivors and six deceased. Meanwhile, 129 people remain missing from the total of 243 individuals listed on the KM Virgo Transport 8 manifest.