Indonesian passenger ship sinks in Java Sea, 140 people missing | Bay of Bengal Post

Monday14 September, 2026

Indonesian passenger ship sinks in Java Sea, 140 people missing

Rescuers are searching for 140 missing people after the Virgo Transport 8 passenger ship sank in the Java Sea. Operations are heavily hampered by rough weather and 2.5-metre waves

Desk Report

Sep 13, 2026, 08:53 AM1 min read

Indonesian passenger ship sinks in Java Sea, 140 people missing

Relatives await updates as rescuers search for missing ferry passengers in in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, Indonesia, September 13, 2026 / Collecte

Rescuers are searching for 140 people after an Indonesian passenger ship sank in the Java Sea, with 103 people rescued and one of them later dying, officials said on Sunday.

The Virgo Transport 8, carrying 243 passengers and crew, lost contact with its operator early Sunday after sailing from Surabaya for Banjarmasin on Borneo, according to Indonesia’s search and rescue agency.

The vessel was last located about 150km from Banjarmasin. Rough weather and waves reaching 2.5 metres have made the rescue operation difficult, officials said.

Rescue vessels and a helicopter are searching the area for those still missing. “It is extremely risky for vessels,” local search and rescue chief I Putu Sudayana said, according to Al Jazeera.

The sinking comes after several recent ferry accidents in Indonesia. Last month, a ferry fire between Bali and Lombok left one person dead and five missing, while another ferry carrying more than 70 people sank near Selayar Island in July.

BOB Post