Basarnas Deploys 15 Assets in Search for Virgo Transport 8 Victims

RRI.CO.ID, Banjarmasin - The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), has deployed 15 sea and air assets to search for victims of the Virgo Transport 8 accident in the Java Sea on Sunday, September 13, 2026. The deployment consists of 11 vessels, one helicopter, and three aircraft.

Head of Basarnas, Mohammad Syafii, said the sea assets deployed included Basarnas vessels from Banjarmasin, Surabaya, and Makassar, as well as four Indonesian Navy warships, known as KRI, which had approached the accident site. The deployment was aimed at expanding the search area and accelerating the evacuation of victims.

“The sea assets, including Basarnas vessels from Banjarmasin, Surabaya, and Makassar, have been deployed to the accident site,” he said at a press conference on the Virgo Transport 8 accident in Banjarmasin on Sunday, September 13, 2026.

To support the aerial search, Basarnas deployed several aircraft and a helicopter. The assets included a Basarnas aircraft from the Indonesian Navy’s 400 Squadron in Surabaya, a Polri helicopter, an Indonesian Navy CN-235 aircraft, and a Caravan aircraft operated by the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB).

In addition to the Basarnas and Indonesian Military assets deployed to the site, several vessels operating near the accident area also joined the search and rescue operation. Ground personnel were also involved through coordination with the Indonesian Military, Polri, government ministries and agencies, as well as other SAR resources according to their respective functions.

Syafii said the deployment was carried out after the Basarnas Command Center declared an emergency situation to maritime traffic users in the Java Sea. The measure was intended to encourage vessels operating near the accident site to assist in the emergency response.

“Basarnas is supported, particularly by the Indonesian Military and Polri, as well as all available SAR resources, including ministries and government agencies according to their respective functions,” he said.