Inp.polri.go.id - Bandung. The West Java Regional Police accelerated the identification process for victims of the Virgo 8 ship sinking in the Java Sea by collecting ante-mortem data and DNA samples from passengers' families.

Medical and Health Unit officers from the Garut Sub-regional Police collected samples from 13 family members in Panyingkiran Village, Situsaeur, Karangpawitan District, Garut Regency.

West Java Police Head of Public Relations Senior Superintendent Hendra Rochmawan confirmed on Thursday (17/9/2026) that officers utilized buccal swabs, collecting cheek cells from inside the mouth, to construct genetic profiles for matching.

"The medical team from Garut Police went directly to Karangpawitan to collect DNA samples and ante-mortem data from the families of Virgo 8 passengers. This is part of our effort to speed up victim identification," he said in Bandung.

Of the 13 family members sampled, two represent passengers confirmed deceased, while 11 represent passengers who remain missing. Joint search and rescue teams continue operations across the Java Sea while forensic units process the comparative genetic data.

(mg/ad/pr/rs)