Ferry accident in Indonesia: At least six dead and numerous missing
The ferry “Virgo Transport 8” had an accident in the Java Sea on the way to Borneo; Rescue workers are looking for over 120 missing people.
Quick Look
- The ferry “Virgo Transport 8” with 243 people on board had an accident in the Java Sea.
- While 115 passengers were rescued, there are at least six fatalities and over 120 missing.
- The cause of the accident on rough seas is still unclear.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Indonesia is made up of over 17,000 islands, which is why ferries are the primary mode of transportation. Safety standards are often poorly enforced and ships are often overcrowded.
A ferry crashed in the island state of Indonesia. A search is underway for numerous missing people. The extent of the accident on rough seas is still unclear. At least six people were killed, the Basarnas rescue authority announced on Sunday. 115 people were rescued from other ships in the Java Sea, and more than 120 are still missing. Their fate was uncertain until the evening (local time).
The ferry “Virgo Transport 8” with 243 people on board was on its way from the city of Surabaya on the main island of Java to Banjarmasin in the province of South Kalimantan on Borneo, almost 500 kilometers away. Early in the morning (local time), the radio connection to the ferry was lost, the authorities further announced. The ship's last known position was about 150 kilometers off Banjarmasin.
Often inadequate safety standards
The Southeast Asian island state of Indonesia with around 280 million inhabitants consists of more than 17,000 islands, which is why ferries play a major role in the transport of passengers and freight. However, safety standards are often poorly enforced and ferries are often overcrowded. Accidents are not uncommon in the country.
Just last month, a ferry between the islands of Bali and Lombok, which are popular with tourists, caught fire. According to authorities, almost all of the more than 170 people on board the “Putri Yasmin” were brought to safety. However, the emergency services confirmed one fatality.
In December 2006, up to 500 people died in one of the country's worst shipping accidents when the "Senopati Nusantara" sank in the Java Sea between Borneo and Java during a heavy storm.
Ferry accident also in the Philippines
There was also a serious ferry accident in the Philippines, northeast of Indonesia, just a few days ago. The passenger ship “MV June Aster” was on its way from the capital Manila to Coron on Wednesday evening when it caught fire for an unknown reason. Survivors reported a loud explosion from the hold, followed by thick smoke and flames. At this time the ferry was around two kilometers off the coast.
There were around 130 passengers and crew members on board. Some passengers reportedly jumped into the water in panic after the fire broke out. At least 76 bodies have been recovered so far. According to the coast guard, 43 people were rescued. Around 13 people are still missing.
Open Questions
- What exactly caused the ferry to sink?
- How many of the more than 120 missing people can still be recovered alive?
