JAKARTA: A search and rescue operation is underway in Indonesia after authorities lost contact with a passenger ferry carrying 243 people in the Java Sea.
The Virgo Transport 8 was travelling from Surabaya to Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan when it reported encountering severe weather conditions during the journey. Indonesia’s search and rescue agency later said communication with the vessel had been lost and its current location remained unknown.
Authorities said the ferry’s last known position was recorded at around 2 am local time on Sunday. A six-member rescue team has been dispatched to the area, but officials said it could take approximately five hours to reach the vessel’s last known location.
The search operation is continuing as authorities work to determine the ferry’s whereabouts and assess the condition of those on board.
(Inputs from BBC)
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