Update on KM Virgo Transport Victims: 28 Dead, 107 Still Missing

A total of 28 people have died in the KM Virgo Transport 8 accident in the Java Sea last Sunday (13/9). While 108 passengers have been found safe, 107 people remain missing.

The Head of Basarnas, Air Marshal Mohammad Syafii, stated that the ship’s manifest included 243 people.

“The number of victims found is 136: 108 are safe, 28 have died, and 107 are still being searched for. This is the update regarding the data on victims found and those still missing,” Syafii said during a press conference on Wednesday (23/9) evening.

According to him, weather conditions at the location remain an obstacle for the joint SAR team’s search process. However, he ensured that there are no technical, personnel, or equipment issues.

The only obstacles are the weather and sea currents, which can change at any moment.

“There are intermittent periods of opportunity. These intervals are being utilised by the joint diving team to carry out the evacuation process,” he added.

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 vessel, carrying 243 people, is suspected to have lost contact due to bad weather. The ship was discovered on the same day in an overturned condition in the Java Sea waters.