Six dead and 130 missing after Indonesian ferry capsizes

Six people have died, 107 have been rescued and 130 are still missing after the Indonesian passenger ferry Virgo Transport 8 capsized in the Java Sea, authorities said. The vessel was sailing from Surabaya to Banjarmasin with 213 passengers and 30 crew on board.

How many people were on the Virgo Transport 8?

The ferry carried 213 passengers and 30 crew members and measured 390ft (119m). It left Surabaya at 10:33 on Saturday and was scheduled to arrive in Banjarmasin, in South Kalimantan, at 14:00 on Sunday. Maritime monitoring data placed the ship about 150km (93 miles) south of Banjarmasin at around 02:00 on Sunday (18:00 GMT on Saturday), and authorities received the initial distress report at 04:10.

Who is taking part in the search and rescue?

A joint task force involving Indonesia’s search and rescue agency, the navy, the maritime police and other parties has been set up. Ships and a helicopter have been deployed to the scene, with 280 personnel taking part, and all vessels in the area of the Java Sea have been alerted to report any signs of passengers.

What have families been told?

Rusmilawati, a resident of Banjarmasin, went to the port to seek information about eight relatives who were on board, returning from visits to the tombs of several Islamic scholars in Java. “They flew there initially, but for the return journey they wanted to try travelling by ship,” she told BBC Indonesia. She said that as of Sunday afternoon local time she had not received any information from officials about whether they had been rescued. The family’s last contact with one relative was a WhatsApp status update, in which the relative wrote: “The waves are really frightening tonight.”

Misnah broke down in tears after learning that her husband, Ahmad Supandi, had survived. Ahmad Supandi, a freight driver, was aboard Virgo Transport 8 and was rescued by the vessel MV Haida. At Tanjung Perak Port in Surabaya, relatives of crew members have also been seeking information. One of them, Fredy, said his youngest sibling, Stevie Manuhua, worked aboard the vessel as a keyboard player entertaining passengers. “We spoke two days ago when the ship was docked in Surabaya. After that, there was no news until now,” Fredy said.

How common are ferry accidents in Indonesia?

Indonesia’s archipelago has more than 17,000 islands and ferries are a common form of transport. Government data show that 111 ship accidents were recorded between 2020 and 2026. In July, KM Nurul Salsa sank in waters west of Polassi Island in Selayar Islands Regency, South Sulawesi: 58 people survived, three were found dead and 14 remain missing. Last month, a separate ferry caught fire off Madura island, killing five.

How does this compare with other ferry disasters in the region?

In the Philippines, a ferry fire off Palawan killed five people and left 80 missing, and a separate blaze aboard another Philippine ferry left a death toll of 35 with 54 people unaccounted for.

Frequently asked questions

How many people were on the Virgo Transport 8?

The ferry was carrying 213 passengers and 30 crew members. Six people have been confirmed dead, 107 rescued and 130 remain missing.

Where did the Indonesian ferry capsize?

The Virgo Transport 8 went down in the Java Sea while sailing from Surabaya to Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan. It was last reported about 150km (93 miles) south of Banjarmasin.

How many ship accidents have been recorded in Indonesia?

Government data show 111 ship accidents were recorded in Indonesia between 2020 and 2026, including the sinking of KM Nurul Salsa in July.

With reporting from BBC News.

Stock image, not from the events described. Ferry Boat — Mike Moloney / Wikimedia Commons (CC0 1.0)