Indonesia Arrests Ferry Captain After Tragic Capsize in Java Sea Claims 78 Lives

Indonesia arrests ferry captain after deadly Java Sea capsize. 78 confirmed dead, 57 missing in maritime disaster.

October 1, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Jakarta, Indonesia — Indonesian authorities have detained the captain of a ferry that sank in the Java Sea last month, which resulted in at least 78 fatalities and left 57 people unaccounted for.

The Virgo Transport 8 was carrying 243 passengers when it overturned during severe weather on September 13 while traveling from Surabaya in East Java to Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan. At least 108 individuals survived the incident.

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Divers are working under challenging conditions to recover bodies from the wreckage, as the ship continues to tilt and poses risks due to sharp debris, gas leaks, and fuel spills. The search for the missing is ongoing, with officials stating the captain has been charged with violating shipping laws by operating an unsafe vessel.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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