RRI.CO.ID. Jakarta : The Indonesian National Police (Polri) continues to intensify Search and Rescue (SAR) operations following the loss of contact and sinking of KM Virgo Transport 8 in the waters of South Tanjung, South Kalimantan, near Masalembu Island. The deployment is being carried out in an integrated manner to support search, rescue, evacuation, victim identification, and services for the families of those affected.
Paragraph 2: Priority On Finding Passengers And CrewHead of Public Information at the Police Public Relations Division, Brig. Gen. Pol. Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko, stated that Polri’s current priority is to support the search and rescue of passengers and crew members who are still missing. “Polri is providing full support for the SAR operation for KM Virgo Transport 8.
The main priority now is searching, rescuing, and evacuating all passengers and crew who are still being searched for. Polri, together with Basarnas, the Indonesian Navy, KSOP, local government, and all relevant elements, continue to work in a coordinated manner to accelerate the search at the location,” he said on Sunday, September 13, 2026.
According to preliminary data as of Sunday, September 13, 2026 at 09.00 WIB, KM Virgo Transport 8 was sailing from Surabaya to Banjarmasin and was reported to have lost contact at around 02.05 WITA. The ship’s last known position was estimated to be around Masalembu Island, approximately 86 nautical miles from Trisakti Port in Banjarmasin. The total Person On Board (POB) is recorded at 243 people, consisting of around 215 passengers and 30 crew members.
Based on manifest of the 243 people on board, 125 have been successfully evacuated. This includes 124 survivors and one person confirmed dead. Meanwhile, 118 other people are still being searched for. “Preliminary data records 243 people on board. A total of 125 people have been evacuated, consisting of 124 survivors and one fatality. The remaining 118 are still being searched for. Polri, together with all SAR elements, will continue to make maximum efforts to find and evacuate them,” Trunoyudo explained.
To strengthen the operation, the Police Water and Air Corps has deployed three nearest Police Ships. They are KP Laksmana-7012 located 80 NM from the site with an estimated travel time of seven hours, KP Ibis-6001 located 103 NM away with a nine-hour estimate, and KP Manyar-5003 located 200 NM away with a 24-hour estimate.
In addition, SAR forces have been reinforced with KN Laksamana from Basarnas, KNP 382 from KSOP, commercial vessels, tugboats, anoʻd two helicopters from Central Kalimantan Police and Basarnas Surabaya. Basarnas deployed 20 personnel led by Capt. Jahrudin, while KSOP deployed 10 personnel aboard KNP 382 since 07.00 WITA.
A SAR Command Post has been established at Trisakti Dock in Banjarmasin as the center for coordination, monitoring, and information gathering. East Java Regional Police is also providing support, with Ditpolairud deploying a nine-person team and the Tanjung Perak Port Police setting up a Service and Complaint Post staffed by 10 police personnel, medical teams, and disaster agency staff.
For victim identification, Polri has set up six Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) posts across East Java and South Kalimantan, covering antemortem and postmortem services at Bhayangkara Hospitals and key ports.
Trunoyudo emphasized that Polri’s deployment covers all stages of victim handling, including health support, service posts, and communication channels for families. Information services are available through Call Center 110 and Tanjung Perak Port Police at 081918600000.
“We understand that the families need certainty and information. Therefore, Polri together with all SAR elements will continue to work and coordinate. We urge the public and families to remain calm and obtain information through official channels. The search will continue at full capacity until all missing victims are found and evacuated,” Trunoyudo said.
Source : PR POLRI
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