**Title: Indonesia Recovers Three Bodies as Search Efforts Continue for Capsized Ship Victims**
Indonesian divers have successfully retrieved three bodies from a passenger ship that capsized and sank in the Java Sea, as search and recovery operations continue for over 100 missing passengers. The incident involved the Virgo Transport 8, which was carrying 243 people on a 20-hour journey from Surabaya in East Java to Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan when it encountered severe weather conditions early on Sunday.
According to Navy official Edy Setyawan, the bodies of two men and a woman were recovered during a salvage operation that allowed divers to enter the submerged vessel. However, strong underwater currents forced the search to be temporarily halted. “Our golden period to dive is between 6am and 2pm,” Setyawan stated, highlighting the challenges faced by divers as conditions worsen later in the day.
As of now, the confirmed death toll stands at nine, with 108 survivors reported. This leaves 126 passengers unaccounted for, raising concerns among families and authorities alike. The recovery of the bodies comes after five days of difficult search efforts, which were hampered by strong currents and large waves.
The divers made a significant breakthrough when they spotted a floating body through a window of the ship. They broke the glass to retrieve the body, which was followed by the recovery of two additional bodies. The recovered remains will be transported to Banjarmasin, where many families of the victims are awaiting news.
On Friday, Indonesian authorities announced the commencement of an operation to right the capsized ship, which had remained partially afloat for several days. The goal is to pull the vessel into shallower waters, making it easier for recovery teams to access the wreckage. Navy commander Galih Nurna Putra confirmed that the salvage operation is already underway, following preliminary observations conducted on Thursday.
The operation is being led by the ship's owner, in accordance with Indonesian law, and is supported by the rescue agency, the navy, and maritime police. I Putu Sudayana, head of the Banjarmasin rescue agency, noted that the operation involves eight ships and two helicopters deployed to search the waters for any additional survivors. Despite these efforts, adverse weather conditions continue to pose significant challenges.
In a move to involve the families of the victims, two representatives were permitted to join the search effort. This initiative aims to provide them with firsthand experience of the difficult conditions faced by rescue teams, as well as the technical challenges involved in the search operation.
As the recovery efforts continue, the Indonesian government and local authorities remain focused on locating the missing passengers and providing support to the families affected by this tragic incident. The situation remains fluid, with updates expected as divers and rescue teams navigate the challenging conditions of the Java Sea.