Divers retrieve three bodies as Indonesia readies salvage of capsized ferry

The Virgo Transport 8 ferry, built in Japan in 1987 and recently retired, capsized Sunday while crossing the Java Sea, prompting a distress call from its captain. The ship, en route from Surabaya to Banjarmasin, was carrying 213 passengers, 30 crew members and 89 vehicles. Rescue teams have so far saved 108 people and recovered three bodies - two men and a woman - which will be transferred to Banjarmasin.

Divers accessed the wreck through a window and reported clear underwater visibility, allowing them to see the hull from bow to stern. The vessel now rests at a depth of 29 metres, 453 metres southeast of its original sinking spot, with no signs of fuel leakage. Salvage operations are being readied, with guide ropes already installed despite earlier delays caused by strong winds and currents. The incident adds to Indonesia’s frequent ferry tragedies, highlighting ongoing safety concerns.