Indonesian passenger ship missing in Java Sea, 140 unaccounted for
A passenger ship with 243 people went missing in the Java Sea; 140 remain unaccounted for.
An Indonesian passenger ship vanished after bad weather hit the Java Sea early Sunday. The ship was traveling from Surabaya to Banjarmasin.
The Virgo Transport 8 lost contact at about 2am local time. Rescuers saved 103 people using other ships.
They sent rescue teams, vessels and a helicopter. They searched the ship's last known position, about 148 kilometers from Banjarmasin.
One person died during the crisis. Maritime authorities said 140 remain unaccounted for from the 243 aboard.
Indonesia is an archipelago of 17,000 islands. It relies heavily on ferries for transport.
But safety standards are not always strictly enforced.
- 243
- People aboard
- 103
- People rescued
- 140
- People missing
- 148 kilometres
- Distance from Banjarmasin
Why it mattersA ship carrying 243 people vanished in one of the world's busiest shipping zones. The search is still underway.
AustraliaNo direct Australian effect yet, though the incident highlights risks in regional shipping that affects Australian trade and tourism.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 11 d ago
