Indonesian rescue teams are searching for more than 100 people after the passenger vessel Virgo Transport 8 capsized in the Java Sea.
The ship was carrying 243 people, including 30 crew members, when authorities lost contact with it during severe weather.
Officials said 113 people were evacuated and at least six bodies were recovered, while search teams continued checking the surrounding waters.
The vessel had departed from Surabaya in East Java and was travelling toward Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan.
Ships, specialist personnel and a helicopter were deployed to the ship’s last known position as rescuers worked against difficult sea conditions.
Indonesia’s transport minister said observations indicated that the vessel had overturned rather than completely sunk, but the cause remains under investigation.
The accident again raises questions about maritime enforcement in an archipelago where ferries are essential and serious incidents remain comparatively frequent.
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Illustrative photo: Tubagus Andri Maulana/Unsplash.
Zeynep Aziz is a social-affairs specialist, writer and advocate with advanced academic qualifications in both Social Sciences and International Relations. Her multidisciplinary education has given her a strong understanding of society, public policy, human rights and the political forces shaping Turkey’s domestic and international development.
For many years, Zeynep has been actively engaged in social affairs and initiatives supporting the rights and well-being of Turkish citizens. Her work pays particular attention to social equality, democratic participation and the protection of vulnerable and disadvantaged communities.
Women’s rights remain central to her interests and advocacy. She works to raise awareness of the challenges faced by women in Turkey, including discrimination, violence, unequal opportunities and barriers to full participation in political, professional and social life. She strongly supports women’s empowerment, equal access to education and employment, and effective legal protection for women and girls.
Alongside her social work, Zeynep closely follows Turkey’s international relations and foreign policy. She takes a keen interest in Turkey’s relations with Europe, neighbouring countries and international institutions, as well as the impact of regional and global developments on Turkish society.
Through her writing and public engagement, Zeynep seeks to encourage informed discussion, strengthen respect for human rights and contribute to a fairer, more democratic and inclusive Turkey.
Zeynep Aziz
