Virgo Shipwreck Becomes Priority Focus in Search for Missing Persons
Divers have discovered a body within the wreckage of the KM Virgo Transport 8 in the Java Sea. This discovery has caused the focus of the search operations to concentrate on the remains of the ship.
“The main focus is directed towards mapping, penetration, and the inspection of the ship’s internal compartments, while surface and aerial searches continue based on drift patterns,” stated TNI Chief of Public Relations, Brigadier General Muhammad Nas, representing TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto, in a statement received on Wednesday (23/09/202<0xA0>26).
The underwater operation is being conducted by 34 professional divers, including 22 Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) divers, supported by underwater robots. The search operation faces significant obstacles, including strong underwater currents, limited visibility, the overturned position of the wreckage at a depth of approximately 30 metres, and the complexity of the ship’s internal spaces.
“The discovery of a victim from within the ship indicates that the wreckage of KMP Virgo Transport 8 has become the priority sector for the search; therefore, the effectiveness of subsequent operations depends heavily on the ability to safely map and penetrate the compartments,” said Nas.
Given the high number of missing persons, operations must continue simultaneously through diving, Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV), salvage, sea surface sweeping, and aerial support. “This is because the victims may not only be located inside the ship but may also have been carried away by drift patterns,” Nas added.
“The reinforcement of Indonesian Navy divers and underwater elements enhances search capabilities; however, currents, low visibility, depth, and the configuration of the overturned wreckage remain the primary risk factors that could slow penetration and endanger personnel,” Nas further noted.
To date, Basarnas (National Search and Rescue Agency) has recorded that a total of 128 victims have been found, consisting of 108 survivors and 20 fatalities. Meanwhile, 115 individuals remain missing from a total manifest of 243 people.