Grief-Stricken Families Mourn Victims of Capsized Ship Virgo in Surabaya

Surabaya, Indonesia – Grief has enveloped Surabaya as families mourned Imam Soeparno, 66, one of the victims of the MV Virgo Transport 8 capsizing in the Java Sea on Sunday, September 13. His body arrived at his home in the Sememi Jaya area on Wednesday, September 16, met by the wails of heartbroken relatives. Upon the ambulance's arrival, a scene of profound sorrow unfolded. Family members, who had been awaiting his return, were overcome with emotion, with one woman collapsing and needing to be supported by relatives and emergency personnel. The deep sadness was palpable as a family member sobbed while embracing the coffin before the final rites. Imam Soeparno was known as a hardworking man who traveled extensively to provide for his family. He worked as a truck mechanic and conductor, frequently crossing islands. His younger brother, Syamsi, explained that Imam had to seek work outside his hometown of Surabaya due to dwindling job opportunities. "His income in Surabaya had decreased, so he found work in Kalimantan," Syamsi said. Despite his age, Syamsi described his brother as tireless in his pursuit of livelihood, having traversed thousands of miles by land and sea. "He would return to Surabaya from Kalimantan, then be called back for another job there, and go again. He could work as a conductor or a mechanic," he added. The news of Imam's fate initially came as a shock. Syamsi first learned of the incident through social media before checking with the integrated post at Tanjung Perak Port in Surabaya. "I got the news from my phone, from social media. Then I checked at [Tanjung] Perak at the post, and cross-referenced," he stated. The family initially struggled to believe the news, as Imam's mobile phone was still reachable, though unanswered. Their disbelief subsided only after they were shown a photo of the victim's body. "I was skeptical at first because his KTP and phone number were still intact, and the phone could still be contacted. I wasn't convinced, so I insisted on seeing a photo of my brother," he recounted. Imam's passing has left a profound void, especially for his only daughter, Novia. Shortly before the tragedy, Novia had a brief conversation with her father, who informed her of his departure on the Virgo ship. This seemingly casual exchange turned out to be their final farewell. "He told me, 'I'm just going this one time, and then I won't work anymore.' I asked him why, and he just said, 'It's okay, I just won't work.' His last farewell from work was his passing," Novia said softly. For his family, Imam was the sole breadwinner, dedicating nearly all his time to work, rarely resting at home. His constant travel meant limited time with his family, yet his affection for his grandchildren never wavered. "He would go back and forth to Banjarmasin. He didn't even have time to come home before heading to Banjar again, then to Sulawesi. He never returned home at all. He was strict, but he was kind to his grandchildren, giving them whatever they wanted," she remembered. After being prayed over and laid to rest by dozens of mourners and local residents in front of his home, Imam Soeparno's body was slowly carried to his final resting place. The procession walked the coffin through the village streets to the Babat Jerawat Public Cemetery in Surabaya. Under the midday sun, the funeral ceremony was solemn, with prayers and the scattering of flowers marking the last farewell to the hardworking mechanic. The MV Virgo Transport 8 reportedly lost contact and capsized in the Java Sea on Sunday, September 13, at 02:00 WITA. The vessel had departed from Surabaya for Banjarmasin on Saturday, September 12, carrying 243 people, including passengers, crew, and staff, along with 89 vehicles. As of now, 114 victims have been recovered, with six confirmed dead. The whereabouts of 129 others remain unknown. The six identified deceased victims are Reyner Fausta Yosilianto from Malang, Nurul Rian Hidayat from Pamekasan, Deny Ridzal Saputra from Kediri, Imam Soeparno from Surabaya, Erick Maisul Latif from Garut, and Risyan Kurnia Putra from Garut.