A major search-and-rescue operation is underway in Indonesia after the Virgo Transport 8 ferry encountered severe weather in the Java Sea, leaving one person dead and more than 100 people rescued.

The vessel was carrying 243 people, including passengers and crew, when it lost contact during its journey from Surabaya in East Java to Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan. Rescue officials later confirmed that the ferry had sunk after encountering rough conditions.

Local rescue authorities said 103 people had been evacuated, with one of those rescued later reported dead. Around 140 people remained unaccounted for as search teams continued working around the vessel’s last known location.

The ferry’s captain had reportedly indicated that the vessel was tilting before communications were lost. Rescue officials said waves reached about 2.5 metres, making the operation particularly dangerous for the teams attempting to reach the affected area.

Several rescue vessels and a helicopter have been deployed. Nearby vessels have also assisted the operation, while authorities continue to monitor weather conditions that could complicate efforts to locate people still missing.

The ferry had departed Surabaya on Saturday and was expected to reach Banjarmasin on Sunday. Its last known position was roughly 150 kilometres from its destination in the Java Sea.

The accident highlights the importance of maritime transportation in Indonesia, an archipelago made up of thousands of islands where ferries are an essential means of travel between communities. Maritime accidents remain a recurring concern, with unpredictable weather and weaknesses in safety enforcement frequently cited as contributing factors.

For relatives gathered at the port in Banjarmasin, the rescue operation remains a race against time as authorities continue searching for those who have not yet been accounted for.