Shillong: Indonesian rescuers pulled more bodies from the wreck of the Virgo Transport 8 in the Java Sea on Friday. The latest recoveries bring the confirmed death toll to 64. The search continues for 71 passengers and crew still missing. All of those missing are now presumed dead.
The ferry vanished two weeks ago. It was traveling from Surabaya to Borneo island with 213 passengers and 30 crew members on board. Only 108 people survived the accident. Search teams pulled four victims from the submerged hull while seven more bodies washed up on nearby shores.
National Search and Rescue Agency Operation Director Yudhi Bramantyo confirmed the search effort will run for seven more days. Authorities will review the operation every three days to decide if the recovery should proceed. Bramantyo said, "The operation will be evaluated every three days to decide whether it should continue."
Indonesia relies on ferries to connect its 17,000 islands. Local regulations typically cap search missions at one week. Officials can grant extensions if they believe more victims remain in the water.
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