Rescue teams in Indonesia have recovered three bodies from a sunken ferry, increasing the confirmed death toll to nine, with 126 individuals still unaccounted for, officials reported on Friday. Divers successfully retrieved the bodies from the Virgo Transport 8, five days after the vessel sank due to adverse weather conditions. The ongoing salvage operation has been challenging for approximately 60 divers out of 1,100 personnel working on the mission.
The capsized 3,880-tonne ferry, which was en route from Surabaya to Banjarmasin, sank around 800 kilometers northeast of Jakarta. Despite the passage of time, the rescue operation continues, as survivors could potentially be trapped in sealed compartments of the ship.
Difficulties in the mission have been exacerbated by strong currents exceeding safe diving limits, as well as waves up to 2.5 meters high and strong winds near the accident site. The sunken ferry, Virgo Transport 8, is a roll-on/roll-off vessel designed to transport vehicles and passengers across Indonesia’s islands.
The enclosed design of the ship has posed challenges for rescue efforts, with the vessel likely having multiple decks and compartments. As the salvage operation progresses, divers face the daunting task of navigating flooded areas with limited visibility, raising concerns about potential air pockets within sealed compartments.
While some have grown pessimistic about finding survivors, the search and rescue efforts are mandated by law to continue for at least a week. The complex nature of the operation underscores the importance of maintaining hope and continuing the search for any potential survivors.