Indonesian province, smallest by land area on Kalimantan, population ~4.3 million (mid-2025)
Indonesia is battling widespread wildfires that have scorched tens of thousands of hectares, forcing school closures and online learning in affected provinces. Authorities are deploying cloud-seeding aircraft and firefighting efforts across six provinces with more than 107,000 hectares burned this year. The country faces a harsher dry season linked to El Niño.
Wildfires across Kalimantan and Sumatra have intensified under El Niño-driven drought, pushing smoke into Malaysia and Brunei. Authorities deploy cloud-seeding, water-bombing aircraft, and ground crews as hotspots rise and air quality deteriorates, threatening health and livelihoods.
A passenger ferry, the Virgo Transport 8, has lost contact on its route from Surabaya to Banjarmasin. Rescue teams have recovered 107 survivors and six bodies so far; search efforts are ongoing for the remaining people from a manifest listing about 243 on board. Authorities have deployed ships and a helicopter to the vessel's last known position.
A search for the Virgo Transport 8 remains active as authorities extend the operation for seven days. 108 survivors have been rescued, with 83 still missing. Divers are entering wreckage amid challenging conditions; the salvage plan is under discussion as weather and currents complicate recovery.
The Virgo Transport 8 has capsized in rough Java Sea conditions after sending a distress call. Authorities have confirmed several deaths and a large number of missing, with search efforts spanning multiple ships, aircraft and underwater teams.