Indonesia Ferry Disaster: Death Toll Rises to 20, 115 Missing

Rescue teams continue searching the overturned Virgo Transport 8 ferry in Indonesia’s Java Sea after the death toll rose to 20.( Photo credit: Unsplash)

 Jakarta, September 23, 2026: The death toll from the Virgo Transport 8 passenger ferry disaster in Indonesia’s Java Sea has risen to 20, while 115 people remain missing, authorities said on Wednesday.

The ferry was carrying 243 people, including 30 crew members, when it capsized in bad weather on September 13 while travelling from Surabaya in East Java to Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan. So far, 108 people have survived the disaster.

Search operation continues

Indonesian rescue teams are continuing underwater operations around the overturned vessel. Officials said the latest search is focusing particularly on the ship’s cabins, where rescuers believe more victims could be trapped.

Divers were able to break cabin windows but have faced difficulties entering the vessel because of poor underwater visibility and strong currents. These conditions have made the recovery operation more difficult and dangerous.

Authorities said eight bodies were recovered from inside the ferry over the previous three days, while two additional bodies were found after being washed ashore in Central Kalimantan. Rescuers reported five bodies recovered on Monday, four on Tuesday and another on Wednesday morning.

Ferry was carrying 243 people

According to officials, the passenger manifest listed 243 people aboard the vessel. The figure included 213 passengers and 30 crew members.

The ferry was also transporting vehicles when it overturned in the Java Sea during the voyage between Surabaya and Banjarmasin.

Difficult conditions for rescuers

The search has been complicated by the position of the overturned ferry, murky water and strong underwater currents.

Officials said rescuers may later search the vehicle section of the ferry after completing work around the cabins. However, vehicles appear to have shifted and piled up inside the vessel, creating additional risks for divers.

The search-and-rescue operation has been extended into next week as authorities continue efforts to locate those still missing. Work to right the ferry is also underway, although the vessel remained overturned as of Wednesday.

Victim identification underway

Indonesia’s National Police disaster victim identification team has also been working to identify recovered bodies.

Police said on September 22 that 18 deceased victims had been recovered at that point, with nine already identified and returned to their families. DNA samples from relatives were being collected to help identify the remaining victims.

The death toll subsequently increased to 20 as additional bodies were recovered, according to the latest Wednesday update. 

Latest figures

Update                                                                                  Number

People aboard                                                                         243

Survivors                                                                                 108

Confirmed deaths                                                                   20

Missing                                                                                     115

Ferry                                                                            Virgo Transport 8

Location                                                                      Java Sea, Indonesia

Voyage                                                                         Surabaya to Banjarmasin

Accident date                                                             September 13, 2026