Indonesia Ferry Capsizes in Java Sea, 129 Still Missing

New Delhi, September 14, 2026 A large-scale rescue operation is underway in Indonesia after a passenger ferry overturned in the Java Sea during severe weather, leaving six people confirmed dead and 129 still missing. Hundreds of rescuers, supported by naval and coastguard teams, are working in difficult sea conditions to reach the vessel and locate survivors. The Virgo Transport 8 was carrying 243 people when it went missing early Sunday while sailing from Surabaya in East Java to Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan. Rescue authorities have so far saved 108 people. National rescue agency chief Mohammad Syafii said at least 622 personnel, 17 ships, five helicopters and aircraft had been mobilised for the operation. However, strong winds and rough seas have made it difficult for rescue vessels to approach the capsized ferry. Syafii said rescuers were also prepared to use specialist underwater teams, but the weather was preventing their deployment. “We would also deploy personnel with underwater rescue skills but the current conditions do not allow us to,” he said. He added, “While waiting for the weather conditions to improve, we are identifying more personnel with special skills.” The search area is around 80 nautical miles, or nearly 150 kilometres, from the rescue command centre at Trisakti Port. Rescue official Arianto Ardi said, “The conditions there are quite windy, making it difficult for the vessel to dock.” According to Syafii, weather conditions were extremely poor when the accident occurred, with waves reaching around three metres. Another rescue official, Edy Prakoso, said the vessel tilted sharply after powerful waves struck its starboard side. Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi said the ferry was capable of carrying 500 passengers, indicating that the vessel was not overloaded. Images released by the rescue agency showed the large red-and-black ship partially submerged, with two smaller boats carrying people nearby. The accident comes amid continuing concerns over ferry safety in Indonesia, where sea transport remains essential because of the country's vast geography and thousands of islands. Recent ferry accidents have also raised concerns, with two separate vessels catching fire last month, killing five people off Madura island and another passenger on a ferry travelling from Bali. As rough weather continues to hamper the operation, rescue teams remain focused on finding the 129 people still missing.