Indonesian authorities said on Sunday that one person was killed and 102 others were rescued after a ferry carrying more than 240 people ran into bad weather in the Java Sea. The incident followed a large search-and-rescue operation after contact was lost with the ferry *Virgo Transport 8* as it traveled from Surabaya in East Java to Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan.
Rescue teams, along with maritime and emergency units, continued working to deal with the disaster while monitoring weather conditions in the area.
Rescue Efforts and Passenger Evacuation
103 Evacuated, One Later Died
The head of the local search-and-rescue office, I Putu Sudayana, said rescue teams evacuated 103 people from the ferry, but one of those rescued later died, bringing the number of survivors to 102.
The update shows the difficulty of the operation in the Java Sea, where bad weather made it harder for rescue crews to reach passengers and move them to safety.
More Than 240 People Were on Board
According to initial information, the ferry was carrying more than 240 people. Its last known location was about 148 kilometers from one of the docks at Banjarmasin port. At first, authorities did not have a full picture of the passengers’ fate, which prompted a wide search-and-rescue response.
Contact Lost With Virgo Transport 8
Search Teams Deployed
Earlier, Indonesian authorities said contact had been lost with the ferry *Virgo Transport 8* while it was sailing in bad weather from Surabaya to another coastal city. The head of the Banjarmasin search-and-rescue office said a report about the missing vessel was received, and rescue personnel along with the ship *Laksamana 241* were immediately dispatched to the ferry’s last known position.
This reflects Indonesia’s rapid emergency response in maritime incidents, especially during rough weather in busy sea lanes.
Rough Weather in the Java Sea
Officials said the ferry encountered severe weather in the Java Sea before communications were lost. That made the rescue operation more difficult, while authorities continued gathering information about the ferry’s route and the circumstances of the incident.
Large-Scale Search and Rescue Operation
Multiple Maritime and Rescue Units Involved
Indonesia launched a broad search-and-rescue operation involving different maritime and rescue units to continue searching for the remaining people on board. Teams focused on determining the fate of any passengers still missing, while weather monitoring continued in case conditions worsened.
Priority on Saving Survivors
Authorities are trying to secure the safety of remaining passengers and speed up evacuation efforts. Early reports indicate the ferry was carrying a large number of people on a journey between two major Indonesian islands, and further survivors could still be found as the search continues.
Conclusion:
Indonesian authorities continue to respond to the *Virgo Transport 8* ferry disaster in the Java Sea after one person died and 102 passengers were rescued. With more than 240 people believed to have been on board, rescue teams remain focused on finding the remaining passengers as the weather remains difficult.
