Indonesia ferry search: Divers retrieve three bodies, 126 people missing

Indonesian divers have begun salvage operations to retrieve bodies and right the passenger ferry that capsize d in the Java Sea.

After strong currents and large waves limited rescue efforts for five days, authorities decided on Friday to right the ship to facilitate recovery operations.

An expert team has been brought in to assist the operation to right the ferry, local navy commander Galih Nurna Putra told reporters on Friday.

“The salvage operation is under way,” Galih said, adding that “there was an observation yesterday”.

Divers managed to enter the ship on Friday. They found the bodies of two men and a woman, officials said. But strong currents forced a halt to the underwater search.

Nine people have now been confirmed dead, with 108 survivors, but 126 passengers and crew members remain missing.

Specialist divers capable of operating at depths exceeding 100 metres (328 feet) have been deployed.

Rough weather previously hindered 1,100 rescuers from searching for missing people.