Indonesian police arrest captain of capsized ferry that killed at least 78 people in Java Sea

From the Newshound archive · first published 1 October 2026.

The captain of the Virgo Transport 8 ferry faces up to 10 years in prison after Indonesian police named him a criminal suspect, accusing him of knowingly sailing an unseaworthy vessel into bad weather. All 243 people on board were at risk when the ferry capsized on 13 September during a voyage from Surabaya to Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan. Authorities say 108 people survived, with divers still battling dangerous conditions to recover bodies from the wreck.

The 4,277-ton vessel kept tilting, with sharp objects, dense gas and leaking fuel blocking divers from reaching internal compartments.

Five bodies were recovered from inside the ship last week, but the operator must right and raise the vessel before a full search is possible.

The captain could face a maximum 10-year sentence under Indonesia's shipping law for causing deaths and property damage by sailing an unseaworthy ship.