OMM Redaksiyası
The death toll from the sinking of the KM Virgo Transport 8 in Indonesia’s Java Sea has risen to 42 after divers recovered 14 more bodies from inside the wreckage, according to the state-run Antara News Agency.
The bodies were found during diving operations conducted by the National Search and Rescue Agency, the Indonesian Navy and other rescue units, Antara reported, citing Mohammad Syafii, head of Indonesia’s search and rescue agency, known as Basarnas.
“The joint SAR team’s efforts have once again yielded results,” Syafii said.
Victims transported to Banjarmasin
The recovered bodies were initially taken to the KN SAR Pacitan rescue vessel for emergency handling before being transported by air to Banjarmasin.
A Basarnas HR-3604 helicopter and an Indonesian Navy Panther helicopter were used in the operation. In Banjarmasin, the victims were handed over to the Disaster Victim Identification team and local authorities for medical identification and further procedures.
93 people remain missing
Authorities have so far located 150 people listed on the vessel’s passenger manifest. Of them, 108 survived and 42 were confirmed dead.
Search and rescue operations are continuing for 93 people who remain missing, according to the latest figures.
