INDOPOSCO.ID – Divers from the Basarnas Special Group (BSG) have found two more victims of the KM Virgo Transport 8, which sank in the waters of the Java Sea off South Kalimantan, on Monday (Sept. 21, 2026).
The two male victims were found inside the vessel during the BSG search-and-dive operation at 9:04 a.m. and 9:13 a.m. Central Indonesia Time (WITA), respectively. They were subsequently evacuated by HR 3601 helicopter to Banjarmasin Airport at 11:20 a.m.
The discovery of the two victims marks a significant development in the ongoing search-and-rescue (SAR) operation being conducted by the Joint SAR Team to locate and evacuate all victims of the KM Virgo Transport 8 disaster.
Basarnas Chief M. Syafii said search and evacuation efforts would continue to be carried out to the fullest extent, with all available personnel and resources deployed.
«“The discovery of two victims today is part of the hard work of all elements of the Joint SAR Team. We are ensuring that every victim found is immediately evacuated and handled in accordance with established procedures,” M. Syafii said.»
Upon arrival at Banjarmasin Airport, the two victims were handed over to the relevant authorities for identification and further handling.
“We will continue to make every possible effort to locate and evacuate the victims,” M. Syafii said.
The KM Virgo Transport 8 sank in the early hours of Sunday (Sept. 13, 2026) WIB in the Masalembo waters of the Java Sea while sailing from Surabaya to Banjarmasin. The vessel was carrying a total of 243 people and 89 vehicles.
As of Monday, a total of 118 people involved in the KM Virgo Transport 8 disaster in the Java Sea had been evacuated by the Joint SAR Team. The figure comprises 108 survivors and 10 fatalities, while 126 passengers remain missing. (dan)
