Antara News·Indonesia·Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at 03:26 AM

Sumenep police set up three posts for Virgo Transport 8 search

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Abd Aziz, Rahmad Nasution

Sumenep, E Java (ANTARA) - Sumenep police in East Java have set up three integrated posts to support the search for victims of the Virgo Transport 8 ferry accident in the Java Sea on September 13.

“We have established three posts, which began operating today,” Sumenep Police Chief Senior Commissioner Ariek Indra Sentanu said here Monday evening.

The posts are located at the Sumenep police headquarters, Kalianget Port and the Masalembu police station, he said.

The posts were established to strengthen preparedness and coordination for the search and rescue (SAR) operation, Sentanu said.

“We have strengthened personnel readiness and inter-agency coordination to support the search for Virgo Transport 8. We are coordinating with Basarnas, the military, harbourmaster and port authority office (KSOP) , local authorities, health agencies and port operators,” he said.

Sumenep police have also asked island fishermen to help monitor the waters and immediately report any victims they find while fishing, he said.

Authorities received reports that the ferry had lost contact at around 2:05 a.m. local time on Sunday, September 13, 2026.

Preliminary data showed Virgo Transport 8 was carrying about 243 people, including 213 passengers and 30 crew members, while sailing from Surabaya to Banjarmasin.

“According to the Transportation Ministry's release this afternoon, a joint SAR team had found and evacuated 114 victims from the Virgo Transport 8 accident by Monday,” Sentanu said.

Of those found, 108 people survived, while six died, he said.

Of the 114 victims found, 86 had arrived at Trisakti Port in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, including 85 survivors and one deceased victim.

The remaining 28 victims were still being evacuated to Banjarmasin, including 23 survivors and five people who had died.

“Tonight, we are also holding a joint prayer for the victims and hope their families are given strength to cope with this tragedy,” Sentanu said.

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