Search underway for 140 people after Indonesian passenger ship carrying more than 240 people overturns

Updated on: September 13, 2026 / 3:39 AM EDT / AP

Indonesian rescuers said about 140 passengers and crew were missing after a ferry carrying more than 240 people overturned in bad weather in the Java Sea on Sunday. At least 102 people were rescued and the body of a passenger was recovered as the search operation expanded in waters around the vessel's last known position.

The ferry was traveling from East Java to South Kalimantan province, officials said.

The vessel's captain had earlier reported rough seas with waves up to 10 feet before issuing a distress message, saying the ship was listing, Sudayana said. Authorities later received information indicating the vessel had overturned, said I Putu Sudayana, who heads the Search and Rescue Office.

The rescue agency in South Kalimantan's city of Banjarmasin said it received a report two hours after contact was lost with the Virgo Transport 8. The ship had departed from Surabaya, Indonesia's second largest city in East Java province, en route to Banjarmasin on Borneo Island.

"The ship's operator reported the incident to authorities after receiving information that the vessel had encountered bad weather," Sudayana said in a video briefing.

In response, a rescue ship…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/moneywatch/