Antara News·Indonesia·Sunday, September 13, 2026 at 06:39 AM

Banjarmasin hospital on alert after ferry loses contact

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Firman, Uyu Septiyati Liman

Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan (ANTARA) - The South Kalimantan Regional Police have placed Banjarmasin Bhayangkara Hospital on high alert to provide immediate medical assistance to passengers rescued from the Virgo Transport 8.

The vessel, carrying 243 people, lost contact in the Java Sea early Sunday while traveling from Surabaya, East Java, to Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan.

“Medical personnel and all supporting facilities have been placed on standby,” South Kalimantan Regional Police spokesperson Senior Commissioner Nur Khamid said on Sunday.

Khamid said the hospital’s trauma units and emergency medical services were fully prepared to treat passengers recovered during the ongoing search and rescue operation.

The police medical division is coordinating with relevant agencies to streamline the management of victims.

“We are coordinating all aspects continuously to ensure a swift medical response,” Khamid added.

He said the police were also committed to supporting the offshore rescue operation led by the Banjarmasin Search and Rescue Office.

“All of our available resources are being deployed optimally to assist with this evacuation process,” Khamid said.

Earlier, Banjarmasin Search and Rescue Office Head I Putu Sudayana said the ship lost communication at about 2 a.m. local time (GMT+8) after encountering severe weather.

The vessel’s last recorded coordinates placed it about 80 nautical miles off the coast of Banjarmasin, he said.

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