Indonesia ferry death toll rises to 71 as divers search wreck

Divers recovered five more bodies from the capsized Virgo Transport 8 ferry on Monday, 28 September, lifting Indonesia’s confirmed death toll to 71. ANTARA reported figures from the national search and rescue agency showing 108 survivors and 64 people still missing from 243 passengers and crew recorded aboard the vessel. Reuters also reported the revised toll and the five recoveries.

The ferry overturned in bad weather in the Java Sea on 13 September during a voyage from Surabaya in East Java to Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan. More than two weeks later, search teams were still trying to enter parts of the wreck. Officials described unstable structures, sharp debris, leaking fuel and gas as hazards for divers. Authorities said the ship may need to be righted and brought to the surface to reach compartments they cannot safely enter.

The latest figures are a snapshot of a continuing search, not a final account of everyone aboard. The 64 people listed as missing have not been confirmed dead. Recovering and identifying victims matters urgently for families awaiting news, while the wreck’s condition makes progress slow and dangerous for rescuers.