Indonesian rescuers plan to right a passenger ship that capsized in the Java Sea last weekend, but strong currents and big waves are preventing an underwater search for 129 missing people. The Virgo Transport 8 was carrying 243 people when it capsized early Sunday. Six people died and 108 survived.
The incident highlights the risks associated with maritime travel in the region and the challenges faced by rescue operations in adverse weather conditions, potentially impacting shipping routes and the safety of sea passage.
Indonesian rescuers plan to attempt to right a passenger ship that capsized in the Java Sea last weekend, but strong currents and big waves are preventing an underwater search for 129 missing people. The Virgo Transport 8 was carrying 243 people on a 20-hour voyage from Surabaya in East Java to Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan when it capsized in bad weather early on Sunday. Six people died and 108 survived the incident, tallies that have not changed since Sunday.
The national rescue agency and Indonesian Navy will make an assessment on Thursday on the plan to turn the capsized ship back over, including what equipment was needed, the agency's chief Mohammad Syafii told a press conference late on Wednesday. Turning the ship upright would normally take about 24 hours, but could take longer if there are complications, he said.
On Wednesday, two Navy teams started an underwater search but were forced to withdraw because the current was moving at nearly 7 knots, Syafii said, adding that diving is recommended only when the current is below 1.5 knots. Some evidence discovered during the dives will be given to the National Transportation Safety Committee, which is investigating the incident, said Galih Nurna Putra, the Navy commander in Banjarmasin.
Air and sea surface searches on Wednesday did not find any of the 129 people still missing, Syafii said. Similar air and surface searches will take place on Thursday. The ship capsized around 80 nautical miles (150 km) from Banjarmasin port, and it has since moved around 450 metres (1,500 feet) and is in waters that are around 29 metres deep, Syafii added. According to Indonesia's Maritime Law, the ship's owner is required to remove or tow it if it disrupts shipping lanes.