Death toll in Indonesian ferry capsize rises to 66 as search enters its 16th day

28 September 2026

The death toll from the Indonesian ferry that capsized earlier in September rose to 66, as divers continued searching on the 16th day of the operation. The Virgo Transport 8 was carrying 243 people, including 30 crew members, and an unknown number of vehicles when it capsized in bad weather early on 13 September during a voyage from Surabaya in East Java to Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan. Search and rescue agency figures put the toll at 66 dead, 108 survivors and 69 still missing. Divers working through the 4,277-ton vessel were limited to a maximum depth of 27 metres and faced leaking fuel, dense gas concentrations and unstable structures, which slowed the search. Officials said the ship's operator needs to right the vessel and bring it to the surface. Indonesia relies on ferries to connect its 17,000 islands, as sea travel is cheaper and more accessible than flying.