Search Continues for 5 Indonesian Journalists Missing After Covering Anak Krakatau Eruption

Jakarta, MINA – A joint Search and Rescue (SAR) team has resumed its search for a speedboat carrying five journalists reported missing in the waters of the Sunda Strait, Pandeglang Regency, Banten.

The second day of the SAR operation began on Wednesday at 07:00 WIB, involving multiple SAR elements and supported by various vessels and equipment. The team divided the operation into four Search and Rescue Units (SRUs) to expand the search area.

SRU 1 uses the KN SAR Tetuka 247 with a planned sweep of 68.3 nautical miles (NM) and a spacing of 3 NM between search tracks. SRU 2 uses the KAL Anyer with a total sweep distance of 69.5 NM and a spacing of 3 NM.

SRU 3 uses the RIB 01 Lampung with a planned sweep of 67 NM and a spacing of 1 NM. SRU 4 uses the RIB 02 Banten to sweep along Rakata Island and Panjang Island, which are key search areas based on evaluations from previous operations.

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The search involves personnel from the Banten Search and Rescue Office, USS Pandeglang, Lampung Search and Rescue Office, as well as elements from the TNI-Polri, local governments, Balawista, fishermen, and community members. Vessels deployed include KN SAR Tetuka 247, KAL Anyer, KP Sanjaya, RIB 02 Banten, RIB 02 Lampung, RIB 03 Lampung, rescue vehicles, personnel trucks, thermal drones, and various water SAR, medical, communication, and support equipment.

Weather conditions at the search location are reported as partly cloudy, with southerly winds blowing north at approximately 14 knots and wave heights ranging from 0.4 to 1 meter.

“The joint SAR team will continue the search by optimizing all available elements, facilities, and equipment. The search will be evaluated periodically, taking into account weather conditions, currents, and field information,” said Rizky Dwianto, Head of Sub-Section for Operations and Alert at Basarnas Banten.

The five journalists were traveling to cover the activity of Mount Anak Krakatau, which has been erupting since July 2026.

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The group departed from Pagedongan Pier, Carita, Pandeglang, on Monday  at around 14:00 WIB. One of the journalists sent a location point at approximately 14:42 WIB, but communication with the group was lost around 15:04 WIB. Since then, their whereabouts have been unknown.

The speedboat carried eight people in total: two crew members, a guide, and five journalists. The crew included Warta (55) as captain, Surakman (60) as a crew member, and Heriyanto (49) as the guide. The journalists on board were: M. Bagus Khoirunnas (ANTARA photo journalist), Ari Basuki (Merdeka), Yudhis (iNews), Daus (Anadolu), and Donal (freelance journalist).[]

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)

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