Banjarmasin: Indonesian rescue teams intensified their search on Monday for 129 people still missing after the passenger ferry Virgo Transport 8 overturned in rough seas in the Java Sea, leaving six people dead.
The ferry was carrying 243 people when it capsized on Sunday while travelling from Surabaya in East Java to Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan. So far, 108 people have been rescued and six bodies have been recovered.
The latest figures account for all 243 people listed on the vessel's manifest, with 108 survivors, six confirmed deaths and 129 people still missing.
The accident occurred in the Masalembo waters of the Java Sea, about 148 kilometres from Banjarmasin. The ferry lost contact at about 2 am on Sunday after its captain reported that the vessel was listing in rough seas.
Authorities received information about the accident about two hours later. The ferry was subsequently located overturned in the Java Sea.
The vessel was later found partly submerged, making it difficult for rescuers to reach parts of the ferry and search for people who may still be inside.
More than 600 personnel from the military, police, coast guard and other agencies are involved in the search. Seventeen ships, along with helicopters and other aircraft, have been deployed in the operation.
Specialist underwater teams are also being prepared to strengthen the search around and inside the overturned ferry.
Rescue officials said strong winds, high waves and rough seas were making the operation difficult. Waves in the area were reported to have reached about three metres.
Mohammad Syafii, head of Indonesia's National Search and Rescue Agency, said rescuers remained hopeful of finding more survivors as the search continued.
The cause of the accident has not yet been established.
Information from the captain indicated that the ferry was listing after encountering rough seas. Authorities are continuing to investigate what caused the vessel to overturn.
There have also been reports from survivors that the ferry appeared crowded. However, authorities have not confirmed that overloading or vehicle loading caused the ferry to overturn.
The vessel was carrying 89 vehicles, according to its manifest. It was built in Japan in 1987 and was sold to its Indonesian operator, PT Virgo Karya Shipping, last year.
The ferry is about 119 metres long and was travelling between Java and South Kalimantan when the accident occurred.
Relatives of people on board have been waiting for information at the rescue centre in Banjarmasin as the search continues.
The rescue operation remains focused on locating the 129 people who are still unaccounted for. Teams are working in difficult sea conditions while preparing for a more extensive underwater search.
The casualty figures could change as rescuers continue their operation.