Indonesian rescuers launched a search operation on Sunday after a passenger ship carrying 240 people lost contact while travelling through the Java Sea from Surabaya in East Java to Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan. The vessel, identified as Virgo Transport 8, was reported to have experienced a communication failure during the journey, prompting authorities to begin efforts to locate it.

The Search and Rescue Office in Banjarmasin said it received information about the communication failure while the vessel was en route to the South Kalimantan capital. Initial information placed the ship’s last known position in the Java Sea, approximately 148 kilometres (92 miles) from a pier in Banjarmasin. Rescue authorities began coordinating an operation to determine the vessel’s location and assess the situation.

Arianto Ardi, operations chief at Banjarmasin’s rescue agency, confirmed that contact with the ship had been lost and said rescue personnel had been dispatched towards the reported area. Authorities also established an operations post at Trisakti to coordinate the search and rescue effort. The operation was underway as officials worked to establish contact with the vessel and determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

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According to authorities, the ship’s operator reported the incident after receiving information that the vessel had encountered bad weather during its journey. Weather conditions in the Java Sea were therefore among the factors being considered as rescuers searched for the passenger ship. Officials had not immediately provided further details about the ship’s condition or whether it had suffered any damage.

There were no immediate reports of casualties following the loss of communication. Rescue teams were continuing efforts to locate the vessel and establish the status of all 240 people believed to be on board. Further information was expected as search personnel reached the area corresponding to the ship’s last known position.

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