Search Operation for KM Virgo Transport 8 Victims Extended by Seven Days

BANJARMASIN, KOMPAS.com - Basarnas has officially extended the search operation for the 126 missing victims from the capsized KM Virgo Transport 8.

Basarnas Operations Director, Rear Admiral (Laksda) Yudhi Bramantyo Nur Sasongko, stated that the search for the remaining victims will require a considerable amount of time.

After coordinating with all stakeholders and all Search and Rescue (SAR) forces in the field, it was decided to extend the search operation by seven days.

"It was decided to extend the search operation by seven days, and all relevant stakeholders support and endorse the operation we are conducting," Yudhi said during a press conference at Trisakti Port, Banjarmasin, on Saturday (19/9/2026).

In addition to focusing on victim search, the extension is also based on plans for salvaging and righting the vessel, which an expert team will soon undertake.

"The salvage operation will also take considerable time. The expert team has already arrived," Yudhi explained.

The seven-day period, Yudhi said, will be maximally utilized with continued deployment of available sea and air assets.

For evacuation, the joint SAR team has been reinforced with 12 additional divers.

Diving operations remain the primary method because the weather—especially underwater currents—is currently favorable for diving to the shipwreck.

"The hope is that since the weather has been supportive over the past few days, the divers can carry out their activities optimally," Yudhi concluded.

Previously, KM Virgo Transport 8, carrying 243 passengers, met with an accident in South Kalimantan waters during its voyage from Surabaya to Banjarmasin in the early hours of Sunday (13/9/2026).

In the incident, 117 passengers have been evacuated, with 108 survivors and 9 fatalities.

Currently, the joint SAR team continues searching for 126 passengers strongly believed to be trapped inside the vessel at the time of the incident.