Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Indonesian National Police (INP) reinforced search and rescue (SAR) operations for the KM Virgo Transport 8 incident by deploying a Dauphin AS 365 N3/P-3103 helicopter to evacuate two deceased victims from waters south of Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, on Tuesday (15/6/2026).
Departing from Syamsudin Noor Airport, the aircrew executed a hoist operation using a Basket Life to retrieve the bodies from a barge towed by Tugboat TCP 205, approximately 80 nautical miles off the coast.
The recovered bodies were transported back to Syamsudin Noor Airport and handed over to the Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) team for formal identification.
"The INP provides full support in search and rescue operations for KM Virgo Transport 8," said INP Public Relations Division Head of the Public Information Bureau Brigadier General Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko. "When victims are located, Polri prepares evacuation capabilities, including helicopter support, so victims can receive immediate handling."
As of Tuesday morning, SAR joint teams have located 114 out of 243 individuals aboard KM Virgo Transport 8, with 108 survivors and six fatalities confirmed, while 129 people remain missing. To accelerate maritime search efforts, the police water unit deployed tactical vessels KP Laksmana-7012, KP Manyar-5003, and KP Ibis-6001.
(mg/inp/pr/rs)
