Contact lost with ship carrying 243 people during storm in Indonesia - UPDATED

Search and rescue operations are underway in Indonesia after the "Virgo Transport 8" ferry met with an accident in the Java Sea.

Operativ Media reports, citing the Associated Press.

It was reported that the bodies of six people have been recovered. The fate of 130 others who were on board the ferry remains unknown.

So far, 107 people have reportedly been rescued.

A large-scale search and rescue operation is currently underway in the area.

Eight vessels, including four warships and two helicopters, have been deployed for the operation.

09:47

Contact has been lost with the vessel "Virgo Transport 8" sailing in the Java Sea during a storm in Indonesia. There were 243 people on board.

Operativ Media reports, citing the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency.

Operations coordinator Putu Sudayana said the vessel was last located approximately 80 nautical miles from the "SAR Basirih" pier in Banjarmasin.

Contact with the crew was lost at around 2:00 a.m. local time after weather conditions severely deteriorated.

The navy, water police, port, and navigation services have been involved in the search efforts.