KM Virgo Survivors Begin Returning Home, Some Given Money for Cigarettes and Food

BANJARMASIN, KOMPAS.com - Some of the survivors of KM Virgo Transport 8 began leaving Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, to return to their hometowns on Friday (18/9/2026).

The survivors had previously undergone a recovery period at several hotels in Banjarmasin after being rescued from the ship accident in the Masalembo Waters, Java Sea.

During the departure process, Abdul Kholiq (25), one of the survivors from Jepara, claimed to have received Rp 500,000 from the company on the evening of Thursday (17/9/2026).

Kholiq said the company gave the money to survivors staying at Hotel Citra Raya Banjarmasin.

"They said the Rp 500,000 was for cigarettes while here," Kholiq said, quoted from Banjarmasin Post, Friday (18/9/2026).

Kholiq, who was still using a wheelchair, also said the company did not provide any letter when handing over the money.

"No, nothing," he replied when asked about any letter.

Survivors Begin Leaving Banjarmasin

Some KM Virgo Transport 8 survivors started leaving Banjarmasin on Friday.

They had been staying at Hotel Kharisma and Hotel Citra Raya while waiting for the departure process.

The South Kalimantan Provincial Government facilitated the survivors' journeys back to their respective hometowns.

Andri, one of the survivors, was among those still in Banjarmasin on Friday. He planned to return to Surabaya on Saturday (19/9/2026) with two others.

"Probably tomorrow," Andri said on Friday.

Andri said that their journey back to Surabaya would be by plane.

The government also assisted in booking tickets for him and the other survivors.

Andri had originally traveled from Surabaya to Banjarmasin with two others. The three survived the KM Virgo Transport 8 accident in Masalembo Waters.