Jakarta, ThedailyID — Search teams recovered five more victims from the sunken KM Virgo Transport 8 in the Masalembo waters of the Java Sea on Monday, September 28, 2026.
Divers from Basarnas, the Indonesian Navy and other search and rescue units inspected several parts of the vessel. They focused on the bridge and passenger cabins, where victims were believed to remain trapped.
The divers carried out the search in stages and with caution. The wreck lies underwater, while limited visibility and narrow spaces made the operation particularly difficult.
All five victims were evacuated from the search area for identification and further medical procedures. Four victims were taken to KRI Gusti Ngurah Rai, while one was transported to KN SAR Purworejo.
The victims were then flown to Banjarmasin. Four were transported by Indonesian Navy helicopter HS 1331, while Basarnas helicopter HR 3601 carried one victim.
All five victims were taken to Bhayangkara Hospital in Banjarmasin for identification and further treatment.
Basarnas Chief Marshal TNI Mohammad Syafii said the recovery reflected the joint efforts of all teams involved in the operation.
“Every victim found is the result of the hard work, precision and cooperation of all SAR personnel. We will continue the search to the fullest by using all available resources,” Syafii said in a statement on Monday.
Following the latest recovery, authorities have found 179 people from the ship’s manifest of 243 passengers and crew. The total includes 108 survivors and 71 people who died.
However, 64 people remain missing as the search operation continues.
KM Virgo Transport 8 lost contact in the Java Sea at around 2 a.m. WITA on Sunday, September 13, after departing Surabaya for Banjarmasin the previous day.
The vessel reportedly encountered bad weather before losing contact. Authorities found the ship later that day overturned in the Masalembo waters.
