Divers have recovered 52 bodies after the Virgo Transport 8 ferry capsized near the Masalembo archipelago. Of 243 people aboard, 108 were rescued and 83 remain missing after the vessel issued a distress call on Sept. 13 amid 3-meter (10-foot) waves. Authorities plan to salvage the wreck from about 30 meters (98 feet) deep, and recovered bodies are being taken to a police hospital in Banjarmasin for identification.
52 Bodies Recovered After Virgo Transport 8 Capsizes Near Masalembo; 83 Still Missing
In this photo released by Indonesia's National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS), rescuers carry the body of a victim of a ferry capsize in rough seas earlier this month, aboard a search-and-rescue vessel in the Java Sea, Indonesia, Friday, Sept. 25, 2026. (BASARNAS via AP)
Divers in Indonesia have recovered 52 bodies in a dayslong search after the passenger ferry Virgo Transport 8 capsized in rough seas earlier this month, officials said Friday. Rescuers have so far pulled 108 people from the water; 83 passengers remain unaccounted for.
The ferry was sailing from Surabaya, East Java, to Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan on Borneo with 243 people aboard when it issued a distress call on Sept. 13, reporting the vessel was listing amid heavy seas with waves up to 3 meters (10 feet) high. Officials later determined the vessel capsized in waters around the Masalembo archipelago in the Java Sea.
During the recovery operation, divers entered the overturned ship by breaking windows underwater to reach trapped passengers and recover bodies, authorities said. Indonesia's National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) reported that all available assets were committed to the effort.
"Our primary focus is to locate the missing victims and provide closure to their families," said Mohammad Syafii, head of Indonesia's National Search and Rescue Agency.
The agency said it still intends to salvage the vessel, aiming to lift the wreckage from roughly 30 meters (98 feet) below the surface. Recovered bodies have been transported to the police hospital in Banjarmasin for identification before release to next of kin.
Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, relies heavily on ferries for interisland transport. Maritime disasters occur with some frequency, and investigators often point to poor enforcement of safety regulations and challenging weather conditions as contributing factors.
Ongoing Response
Search-and-rescue teams remain on site, coordinating with local authorities and maritime agencies. Officials said recovery and salvage operations will continue until all missing people are located or recovery operations are suspended after consultation with families and investigators.
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