Rescue teams in Indonesia retrieved three bodies from a capsized ferry as they geared up to salvage the wreckage, pushing the confirmed death toll to nine, with 126 individuals still unaccounted for, according to officials on Friday. Divers accessed the Virgo Transport 8 and located three bodies five days after the vessel sank in adverse weather conditions last Sunday. This brought the total fatalities to nine, while 108 people were rescued on the day of the incident.
The approximately 60 divers, part of a team of 1,100 personnel working 12-hour shifts utilizing 17 ships and 5 aircraft, are facing high-risk challenges that have hampered progress, causing additional distress for worried friends and relatives. The 3,880-ton ship, which capsized around 800 kilometers northeast of Jakarta, Indonesia’s capital, was en route from Surabaya in East Java province to Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan on what was expected to be a 20-hour journey.
Despite the passage of time since the ferry overturned, the operation remains a rescue mission due to the potential presence of survivors possibly trapped in sealed compartments. Initially, currents at the site were recorded at almost 7 knots, well above the safe diving limit of 1.5 knots, as reported by the national rescue agency. Subsequently, the currents eased to between 1.8 and 2 knots, enabling navy divers to approach the ship on Thursday and enter it on Friday.
Complicating the rescue efforts are waves reaching up to 2.5 meters and strong winds near the vessel. Following the accident, the ship drifted approximately 1.8 nautical miles before eventually sinking to the seabed in the Java Sea, which is between 40 and 50 meters deep according to official data. The enclosed design of the Virgo Transport 8 has posed a challenge for accessing the vessel, explained Arianto Ardi, head of operations for the rescue agency’s Banjarmasin office.
The 119-meter Virgo Transport 8, a “roll-on/roll-off” ship designed to transport vehicles and passengers between Indonesian islands, was constructed in Japan in 1987 and previously operated there until last year. Arianto highlighted the vessel’s distinct design with high hulls on the sides, unlike passenger ships with multiple decks of windows. The salvage operation by PT Virgo Karya Shipping, the ship’s owner, is underway alongside ongoing rescue efforts, potentially complicating the situation further.
Marcellus Jayawibawa, a maritime expert, emphasized the challenges faced by divers navigating flooded compartments with limited visibility inside the ship. The presence of potential air pockets in sealed areas poses a significant risk, as opening cabin doors could lead to a rapid influx of seawater, endangering divers and any survivors. Despite diminishing hopes among some loved ones, the search must persist by law for at least a week, considering the possibility of survivors still being inside.
“It is imperative to recognize the value of every human life,” said Marcellus. “Although the chances may be slim, the hope remains that individuals could still be found alive within the ship.”