Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan (ANTARA) – The Indonesian Navy’s amphibious forces command (Kopaska) will be deployed alongside the Basarnas Special Group (BSG) for an underwater search and rescue (SAR) operation to locate 129 missing victims following the Virgo Transport 8 ferry accident.
The head of the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) Mohammad Syafii said these skilled personnel are being prepared to support underwater operations using the Canopus warship (KRI), which is already on stand-by for such an operation.
“KRI Canopus is the Navy’s newest vessel, operated by the Navy’s Hydro-Oceanography Center (Pushidrosal). We hope this ship will enable us to conduct underwater operations optimally,” he remarked during a press conference in Trisakti Port, Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, on Monday.
Besides Kopaska and BSG, Syafii informed that the group of diving teams are currently in preparation for the deployment to the search site, subject to weather and water current conditions.
However, the teams have yet to be deployed due to unfavorable conditions at the site.
According to Syafii, Basarnas is prioritizing personnel safety while waiting for conditions to improve before conducting the underwater search.
“The KRI Canopus is already on-site. However, we have not yet deployed the personnel due to unfavorable current condition,” he continued.
In addition to its underwater search capabilities, Syafii said the warship is equipped with an underwater drone to assist the SAR team in locating victims once water conditions allow for underwater operations.
The agency is currently assessing resources with specialized diving skills, while BSG personnel are en route to Banjarmasin to reinforce the search and rescue operation for the victims of Virgo Transport 8.
Basarnas has confirmed that 114 victims have been located, comprising of 108 survivors and six deceased individuals, while leaving 129 people still missing out of a total of 243.
Of the 114 victims located, 86 have arrived at Trisakti Port in Banjarmasin, consisting of 85 survivors and one deceased victim.
The Virgo Transport 8 was carrying 243 passengers and reportedly lost contact in the waters of Masalembo, Java Sea, at approximately 02:00 local times on Sunday (September 13), while en route from Surabaya to Banjarmasin after departing on Saturday (September 12).
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Translator: Tumpal Andani, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Primayanti
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