Indonesian ferry carrying 243 people reported missing in Java Sea
The nation's search and rescue team said it lost contact with the Virgo Transport 8 in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Indonesian ferry carrying 243 people reported missing in Java Sea
A search and rescue operation has been launched after an Indonesian passenger ferry carrying 243 people lost contact, the country’s search and rescue agency said.
The Virgo Transport 8 was travelling overnight from Surabaya to the South Kalimantan city of Banjarmasin when it reported encountering bad weather.
"At the time of this statement, the ship cannot be contacted and its whereabouts are unknown," the agency said.
Authorities said it would take around five hours for a six-person rescue team to reach the ship’s last known position in the Java Sea, which was recorded at about 02:00 local time on Sunday.