Indonesian passenger ship carrying 240 people loses contact in Java Sea, search underway

Passenger ship “Virgo Transport 8” lost contact with 240 aboard while crossing Java Sea

The Indonesian Banjarmasin Search and Rescue Office has reported that the passenger vessel Virgo Transport 8 went silent on Sunday while sailing through the Java Sea. The ship, carrying 240 passengers and crew, had departed from Surabaya, East Java, earlier that day on a scheduled run to Banjarmasin on Borneo.

At the time of the last transmission the Virgo Transport 8 was roughly 92 miles off the pier in Banjarmasin, the capital of South Kalimantan province. The loss of communication triggered an immediate search and rescue operation, but officials have not yet confirmed any deaths or injuries among those on board.

“Details on the cause of the loss of contact remain unclear,” the rescue office said in a statement. “We are not aware of any adverse weather conditions that might have contributed to the situation.”

Search efforts are continuing, with naval and civilian vessels combing the Java Sea for any signs of the missing ship. The maritime authorities have urged anyone with information to come forward as the investigation into the disappearance of the Virgo Transport 8 proceeds.