Indonesian authorities deploy over 600 rescuers to find 129 missing after passenger ship capsizes

Indonesian authorities deployed more than 600 rescuers Monday to search for 129 people still missing after a passenger ship capsized in the Java Sea, according to local media.

The Virgo Transport 8 was carrying 243 people when it capsized in bad weather early Sunday while traveling from Surabaya in East Java to Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan.

At least 108 people have been rescued and six have been confirmed dead, the Indonesian news outlet Detik.com reported, citing data from the National Search and Rescue Agency, or Basarnas, and the Transportation Ministry.

Basarnas chief Mohammad Syafii said around 622 personnel were deployed Monday, with ships and aircraft involved in the expanded search operation. Specialized underwater teams and Navy-operated underwater drones were also being deployed.

Indonesia's Navy separately said it had deployed five naval vessels as well as CN-235 and helicopter aircraft to support the joint operation, according to Detik.

Basarnas Deputy for Operations and Readiness Edy Prakoso said rough seas contributed to the vessel listing before it overturned.

“The ship was hit by waves from the starboard side, causing it to tilt,” Prakoso said, according to Indonesian news outlet Tempo.

Survivor Ahmad Saudi told local news outlet Kompas that the ship began listing rapidly around 1.20 a.m. and that he heard no alarm or warning from the crew before passengers realized there was an emergency.