Indonesia Starts Righting Capsized Virgo Transport 8; 10 Dead, 126 Still Missing

Indonesian divers entered the capsized Virgo Transport 8 on Friday. Three bodies were recovered. Strong currents then forced a halt to the dive. Ten people are now confirmed dead. A hundred and twenty-six passengers and crew remain unaccounted for.

The ferry capsized in the Java Sea on September 13 carrying 243 people. Rough weather and strong currents blocked searches for five days after the wreck was found at 30 meters depth. Entering a capsized hull in those conditions posed too great a risk to rescue teams.

Authorities moved on Friday rather than wait for calmer seas. The plan is to tow the ferry into shallower water first, then inflate bags around the hull to right it and open the interior to recovery teams. Specialist divers able to work beyond 100 meters are on site. Basarnas brought in expert teams from the United States, Hong Kong, and Indonesia earlier this week for exactly this kind of operation.

Indonesian law places the salvage under the ferry operator's responsibility, with the national rescue agency, navy, and maritime police in support. One hundred and eight people survived the capsizing.