Captain of capsized Virgo Transport 8 taken into custody over alleged illegal sailing
Indonesian police have detained the captain of the Virgo Transport 8 ferry, which overturned in the Java Sea, killing at least 78 people.
On September 13, the Virgo Transport 8 ferry capsized in the Java Sea during a voyage from Surabaya to Banjarmasin, resulting in at least 78 fatalities and 57 people still unaccounted for. A total 108 passengers survived the disaster. Senior police official Sr Comr Kukuh Prabowo announced that the captain has been arrested as a criminal suspect for allegedly violating shipping regulations by sailing an unfit vessel, an offense punishable by up to ten years’ imprisonment.
The investigation did not disclose further details of the alleged misconduct. Divers are still working around the unstable wreck, contending with strong currents to locate any remaining victims. The National Search and Rescue Agency continues to coordinate the recovery effort.
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