September 15, 2026 | 07:45 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's Basarnas (the National Search and Rescue Agency) has revealed that the Motor Vessel (KM) Virgo Transport 8 has drifted approximately 1.6 nautical miles westward—while remaining in an inverted position—from its initial coordinates following the accident in the waters of Masalembo, Java Sea, on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026.
Basarnas Head Mohammad Syafii stated that the shift was identified through changes in the vessel's datum position—or location point—on the second day of the search and rescue (SAR) operation, with the movement following the currents in the waters where the ship sank.
"There has been a shift in the datum position, or the location of the Virgo Transport 8. Compared to what I reported yesterday, it has now drifted approximately 1.6 nautical miles to the west while remaining upside down," Syafii said during a press conference regarding the second day of the SAR operation at Trisakti Port, Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, on Monday.
According to him, the vessel's inverted position poses specific risks for divers; operations to enter the ship's hull cannot be forced until all safety requirements are met, including weather conditions and an underwater environment that allows personnel to work safely.
"If the ship is upside down when the dive team enters, it naturally carries specific risks. Operations can only proceed if regulations and 'safety first' principles—meaning guaranteed safety—are met," he said.
He explained that operational difficulties are compounded by the presence of internal bulkheads or empty spaces within the hull, which allow the ship to continue shifting or drifting with the current; these conditions must be factored in before the team determines the method for searching for victims inside the vessel.
Syafii noted that human diving capabilities must adhere to established safety protocols, especially when dealing with an inverted ship containing enclosed spaces that could pose dangers if forcibly opened.
"Regarding these empty spaces within the ship, if we were to force entry—for instance, by opening a bulkhead leading to an empty compartment—there would be a massive pressure change, which would obviously be extremely dangerous," he said. According to him, these conditions are serving as the basis for Basarnas's coordination in determining operational steps for the third day. They are involving personnel with specific experience and training in handling sunken vessel scenarios, ensuring that every technical decision prioritizes the safety of the rescuers.
“We will hold discussions and involve personnel who possess the necessary capabilities—whether through experience or specialized training—for these types of situations. This is the approach we will develop,” said Syafii.
Basarnas is even evaluating the possibility of shifting the KM Virgo Transport 8 from its capsized position to one that better facilitates a search of the vessel's interior; however, this option remains part of ongoing technical discussions that weigh various operational risks.
As of Monday (Sept 14) at 10:00 PM Central Indonesian Time (WITA), Basarnas Head Mohammad Syafii confirmed that 114 victims had been located—comprising 108 survivors and six deceased individuals—leaving 129 people still missing out of the total 243 on board.
Of the 114 victims located, 86 have arrived at Trisakti Port in Banjarmasin; this group consists of 85 survivors and one deceased victim (whose body has already been handed over to their family).
A second deceased victim was evacuated to the Syamsudin Noor Air Force Base in Banjarbaru and has been transferred to the National Police Headquarters' Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) team for further medical examination.
Additionally, one survivor arrived at the Syamsudin Noor Air Force Base after being airlifted from the accident site by a Basarnas helicopter, while another 26 victims—comprising 22 survivors and four deceased individuals—are currently being transported from the site to Trisakti Port.
The Virgo Transport 8 was carrying 243 passengers and reportedly lost contact in the waters of Masalembo, Java Sea, on Sunday (Sept 13) at approximately 2:00 AM WITA, while en route from Surabaya to Banjarmasin, having departed on Saturday (Sept 12).
Read: KRI Canopus Deployed to Aid Underwater Search for Virgo Transport 8 Victims
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