Virgo 8 Ship Update: One Victim Found by Basarnas Helicopter, Survivors Total 109
The search and rescue (SAR) operation for the victims of the KM Virgo Transport 8 accident in the Java Sea entered its second day on Monday (14/9). During the operation, the Basarnas HR 36012 Dauphin helicopter successfully evacuated a female survivor.
Basarnas Banjarmasin spokesperson, Singgih, confirmed in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, on Monday, that the rescued survivor is 28-year-old Mia Melinda. The woman, originally from Kendal, was evacuated from the accident site using the HR 36012 Dauphin helicopter.
“The Basarnas helicopter evacuated the survivor and landed at Syamsudin Noor Airbase, Banjarbaru, at approximately 14:15 WITA,” he stated.
Upon arrival at Syamsudin Noor Airbase, Mia Melinda was immediately taken to the Syamsudin Noor Airbase Hospital. The survivor received further medical treatment after being successfully evacuated from the SAR operation site.
As of Monday (14/9) at 15:30 WITA, Basarnas recorded that a total of 115 victims have been found in the KM Virgo Transport 8 incident. This figure consists of 109 survivors and six fatalities.
Consequently, 128 people remain missing out of the total 243 passengers on board the vessel.
Of the 115 victims found, 86 individuals have arrived at Trisakti Port, Banjarmasin. Specifically, 85 victims are in safe condition and one fatality has been recorded.
Additionally, one survivor has been evacuated to Syamsudin Noor Airbase, while 24 others are still in the process of being transferred from the accident site to Trisakti Port, Banjarmasin.
KM Virgo Transport 8 was known to be carrying 243 passengers. The ship was reported to have lost contact in the Masalembo waters, Java Sea, on Sunday (13/9) at approximately 02:00 WITA.
The vessel departed from Surabaya heading towards Banjarmasin on Saturday (12/9). As the search enters its second day, joint SAR teams continue their efforts to search for and evacuate the remaining missing victims.
Twenty-three residents of Kampung Panyingkiran, Situsaeur Village, Karangpawitan District, Garut Regency, were among the victims of the Virgo Transport 8 accident in Javanese waters.
Indonesia’s maritime transport sector is once again facing intense scrutiny following the high rate of shipping accidents.
The Garut Regency Government has provided moral support and is ensuring that data collection, including the identification needs for families from Garut, is handled promptly.
The National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) is currently gathering essential information from survivors and the crew of KM Virgo Transport 8.
Basarnas stated that KM Virgo Transport 8 was struck by waves exceeding three metres before the accident in the Java Sea. While 115 victims have been found, 128 people are still being searched for.