83 dead and 169 missing in ferry accidents in Indonesia, Vanuatu and the Philippines

6 people died and 129 people went missing when the ferry carrying 213 passengers and 30 crew capsized off Indonesia's Java Sea. At least one person died and 30 people went missing when the MV Matui ferry sank off the coast of the Pacific country Vanuatu. In the fire that broke out on a passenger ferry in the Philippines on September 9, the toll was heavy, reaching 76 casualties.

2.5 meter waves

The ferry named Virgo Transport 8, departing from the Indonesian port of Surabaya, was caught in giant waves in the Java Sea. Contact with the ferry, which capsized 150 kilometers before its destination, was lost after the captain reported that "the ship is lying on its side." The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) announced that 108 people were rescued, the dead bodies of 6 people were found, and 129 people are still being searched. Rescue teams working in the region announced that they were struggling with giant waves of 2.5 meters and risky sea conditions to reach the victims.

in stormy weather

On the other hand, the ferry MV Matui, sailing from Santo island to Ambae island in the South Pacific country Vanuatu, sank in very stormy seas. While the body of one person has been removed from the ship, which set off with more than 40 people, so far, 15 people have been rescued alive. The Prime Minister's Office reported that more than 30 people were lost at sea and a negligence investigation was launched on suspicion of overloading and ignoring sea warnings.

chain of omissions

This chain of disasters occurred just days after the major fire disaster on the MV June Aster ferry off the coast of Palawan, Philippines, on September 9, in which the death toll rose to 76 and 10 people were missing. The successive accidents revealed inadequate safety standards and lack of control in maritime transportation, which is of vital importance, especially in island countries.