An Indonesian ferry carrying 243 people, the Virgo Transport 8, capsized in the Java Sea after encountering bad weather, leaving at least six people dead and prompting a major search and rescue operation.
Live updates
Loading updates…
Key facts
- The Virgo Transport 8 had 243 people on board when it lost contact with its operator.
- At least six people have died and 107 have been rescued, according to the BBC.
- Around 130 people remained missing as ships and helicopters searched the area.
- The vessel lost contact in the early hours of Sunday morning after encountering bad weather.
An Indonesian ferry carrying 243 people capsized in the Java Sea, leaving at least six people dead and around 130 still missing, according to reports from the BBC and Al Jazeera. The vessel, named the Virgo Transport 8, lost contact with its operator in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Indonesia’s national search and rescue team said it lost contact with the ship early on Sunday, according to the BBC. The BBC later reported that the vessel had capsized after encountering bad weather.
Rescue figures shifted through the day as the operation continued. Al Jazeera initially reported one person dead and 102 people rescued, while later BBC updates put the toll at six dead and 107 rescued.
Ships and helicopters were searching for the remaining 130 missing people from the Virgo Transport 8, the BBC reported, as the search and rescue operation remained ongoing.
With rescue efforts still under way, the final number of casualties and survivors was not yet confirmed. Authorities had not, in the available reports, released details on the cause of the capsize beyond the bad weather the vessel encountered.
Why it matters
Ferries are a vital form of transport across Indonesia's vast network of islands, and incidents involving large numbers of passengers can carry a heavy human toll. The scale of this search operation underscores the risks faced when vessels encounter severe weather at sea.
Frequently asked questions
How many people were on board the ferry?
The Virgo Transport 8 had 243 people on board when it lost contact with its operator, according to Al Jazeera and the BBC.
How many people died or were rescued?
Reports evolved during the day. Al Jazeera initially reported one dead and 102 rescued, while later BBC updates put the toll at six dead and 107 rescued, with around 130 people still missing.
What caused the ferry to capsize?
The BBC reported that the Virgo Transport 8 had encountered bad weather. It lost contact with its operator in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Timeline
- Six dead, 107 rescued after Indonesian ferry capsizes in Java Sea
BBC World: Ships and helicopters are searching for the remaining 130 missing people from the Virgo Transport 8 ship, which had encountered bad weather.
- One dead, 102 rescued from Indonesian ferry that went missing in Java Sea
BBC World: The nation's search and rescue team said it lost contact with the Virgo Transport 8 in the early hours of Sunday morning.
- Six dead, 97 rescued from Indonesian ferry that went missing in Java Sea
BBC World: The nation's search and rescue team said it lost contact with the Virgo Transport 8 in the early hours of Sunday morning.
- Six dead, 107 rescued from Indonesian ferry that went missing in Java Sea
BBC World: The nation's search and rescue team said it lost contact with the Virgo Transport 8 in the early hours of Sunday morning.
- One dead, 102 rescued after Indonesian ferry goes missing in Java Sea
Al Jazeera: Search and rescue ongoing after Virgo Transport 8, with 243 people on board, lost contact with its operator.