Indonesian police name four suspects over Virgo Transport 8 sinking

Indonesia’s National Police have named four suspects in the sinking of the ferry Virgo Transport 8, and all four are in custody, Brigadier General Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko, head of the police public information bureau, told ANTARA. Three are employees of operator PT Virgo Karya Shipping: operational manager RH, Surabaya branch general manager YR, and agent LBA. They were named after investigators had already identified the captain, AY, as a suspect.

Andiko said the designations followed the investigation and a reconstruction, and pointed to alleged negligence, complicity and aiding. Investigators are using the Shipping Law and the Criminal Code. The four are held at a South Kalimantan Police detention facility.

Virgo Transport 8 lost contact at around 2 a.m. local time on 13 September while sailing from Surabaya to Banjarmasin with 243 people aboard. ANTARA said authorities have recovered 190 people, including 108 survivors. The National SAR Agency halted underwater operations on the 21st day of the search, saying the wreck needs to be raised so divers can work more safely and remains inside the ship do not deteriorate further.