President Prabowo Orders Thorough Investigation into Virgo Transport 8 Accident, Ensures Victims’ Families’ Rights
During a limited meeting with government officials via video conference from the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Wednesday (09/16), President Prabowo Subianto ordered a thorough and objective investigation into the KMP Virgo Transport 8 accident in the Java Sea.
The President instructed the Ministry of Transportation to coordinate the next steps with the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), while ensuring that the rights of the victims’ families are properly fulfilled. He also called for a comprehensive investigation involving the National Police (Polri) and the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI).
“Please coordinate the next steps with Basarnas and ensure that the rights of the victims’ families are properly fulfilled. I also request a thorough and objective investigation into the incident,” President Prabowo said.
During the meeting, Basarnas Head Mohammad Syafi’i reported on the chronology of the accident. The KMP Virgo Transport 8 departed from Tanjung Perak, Surabaya city, for Trisakti Port in Banjarmasin city, carrying 243 passengers and 89 vehicles. The vessel departed on September 13, 2026, and encountered strong waves and winds at around 1 a.m.
“An hour later, the vessel was reported to have developed a severe list, and an hour after that, communication with the vessel was lost. At 4:10 a.m., Basarnas activated a search and rescue operation through the Basarnas Command Center,” he said.
During the initial response, Basarnas deployed air and maritime assets to the accident site. Several vessels in the vicinity also assisted with the evacuation, rescuing 108 people and recovering six deceased victims.
“We would like to report that MT Mauhau, TB TCP , Haida, KM Cahaya Bahari, and the fishing boat Sri Asih successfully evacuated 108 survivors and six deceased victims. A total of 114 victims were evacuated on the first day,” he said.
On the fourth day of the SAR operation, search and evacuation efforts continued using air and maritime assets. Basarnas also deployed three teams for underwater operations, supported by KRI Canopus, a vessel operated by the Indonesian Navy’s Hydro-Oceanographic Center (Pushidrosal) with underwater operational capabilities.
“Today, on the fourth day, our operations continue with both air and maritime assets. We have prepared three teams to conduct underwater operations, supported by KRI Canopus, which has underwater operational capabilities. One team is from the Basarnas Special Group, while the other two are from the Indonesian Navy, comprising frogmen and specialized divers,” he said. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (FI/AW)
