Story perspectives

Indonesia Begins Salvaging Capsized Virgo Transport 8 Ferry

By Drooid · Sep 18, 2026, 10:00 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Indonesian Navy Salvages Ferry

Indonesia's navy and rescue agencies began salvaging the Virgo Transport 8 ferry.
The ferry capsized early on Sept 13 while carrying 243 people from Surabaya to Banjarmasin.
Six dead, nine bodies recovered, 108 rescued, and 129 passengers remain missing.
Eight ships and two helicopters were deployed on Sept 18 for air and surface searches.
Navy commander Galih Nurna Putra said the navy will pull the vessel into water and right it.

Summary

PM Napat Cancels UN

Prime Minister Jotham Napat cancelled his UN General Assembly trip to address the Vanuatu ferry tragedy.
Police Assistant Commissioner David Bongranlie reported that 53 people were aboard the MV Matui when it sank.
The MV Matui carried over 30 passengers without Maritime Safety Authority clearance, violating authorization rules.
New Caledonia’s SAR agency coordinated air-and-sea searches, confirming 37 people remain missing.
Authorities opened a full investigation into possible overloading and ignored marine warnings.

History

Historical Context

On 26 September 2002 the Senegalese ferry MV Le Joola capsized off The Gambia, killing 1,863 people after carrying nearly four times its 536-passenger design load. The overloaded vessel, intended to link the Casamance region with Dakar, lacked a sailing license and ignored storm warnings. President Abdoulaye Wade’s government later offered about US$22,000 per victim. The tragedy prompted the International Maritime Organization to tighten vessel-capacity rules worldwide.

1 of 3

Indonesian Navy Salvages Ferry

Indonesia's navy and rescue agencies began salvaging the Virgo Transport 8 ferry.
The ferry capsized early on Sept 13 while carrying 243 people from Surabaya to Banjarmasin.
Six dead, nine bodies recovered, 108 rescued, and 129 passengers remain missing.
Eight ships and two helicopters were deployed on Sept 18 for air and surface searches.
Navy commander Galih Nurna Putra said the navy will pull the vessel into water and right it.

1 / 3