Latest news in Indonesia? September 13th, 2026

Major Ferry Sinking and Search Operation in the Java Sea A major maritime search-and-rescue operation is underway after the passenger ship Virgo Transport 8, carrying 243 people, sank in rough seas while sailing from Surabaya in East Java to Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan. Indonesian search-and-rescue agency (Basarnas) officials reported that around 103 to 115 passengers have been rescued so far, with one confirmed death, while rescue teams continue searching for well over 100 people still missing amid waves reaching up to 2.5 meters. Al Jazeera+ 1Volcanic Activity Recovery and Aviation Normalization Transport and disaster management authorities continue recovery operations following a series of volcanic disruptions across the archipelago. Recent major eruptions from Mount Anak Krakatau in the Sunda Strait, alongside increased activity from Mount Semeru, Mount Sinabung, and Mount Ile Lewotolok, had previously blanketed regions in ash and temporarily disrupted flights across western Java and southern Sumatra before regional airports gradually resumed operations. AP News