Ship carrying 240 onboard loses contact in Java Sea near Indonesia

The Virgo Transport 8 was travelling from Surabaya in East Java to Banjarmasin (Representative image)

A passenger ship carrying 240 people lost contact in the Java Sea near Indonesia on Sunday, prompting rescuers to launch a search operation, officials said.The Virgo Transport 8 was travelling from Surabaya in East Java to Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan when it experienced a communication failure, according to the Search and Rescue Office in Banjarmasin.The vessel’s last known position was around 148 kilometres (92 miles) from a pier in Banjarmasin. Rescue teams were deployed to locate the ship and establish contact with those on board.