As the search for five journalists missing in the Sunda Strait amid the Mount Anak Krakatau eruption entered its fourth day on Friday, Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) expanded the operation to new areas. Head of the Banten SAR Office Al Amrad told reporters at a SAR base that authorities deployed 13 ships to conduct search operations across four distinct sectors.
The journalists who cannot be located are Bagas Khoirunnas of ANTARA News Agency, Ari Basuki of Merdeka, Yudistiro Pranoto of iNews, Firdaus Wajidi of Türkiye’s Anadolu Agency, and freelance photojournalist Donal Husni. They were accompanied by three crew members while traveling to cover the Mount Anak Krakatau eruption.
Search Sector Deployments and Marine Operations
According to Al Amrad, Basarnas deployed KRI Kerambit, KP Sanjaya, and KAL Pahawang to Sector A. This sector covers a total search area of 1,026 nautical miles in a high-seas area located in the Cape Belimbing area of Lampung. For Sector B, which spans 1,020 nautical miles along the western coast of Lampung, the agency deployed KRI Leuser and KAL Anyer.
The search in Sector C covers 585 nautical miles north of Cape Belimbing and is being conducted by KN SAR Basudewa alongside a rigid inflatable boat (RIB) from Lampung. Al Amrad stated that KN SAR Basudewa is conducting the search in the center of the area, while the RIB is searching the coastal waters of Cape Belimbing. Additionally, KAL Hayabusa was deployed to Sector D, covering 585 nautical miles from the northern end of Sector C to Cape Panaitan.
Monitoring Surrounding Islands and Recovery Efforts
The joint search and rescue team is also conducting another search of islands surrounding Mount Anak Krakatau, including Sebesi Island. Al Amrad noted that teams will conduct thorough monitoring around Krakatau, Panjang, and Sertung islands, while an RIB from Lampung, designated as RIB 02, patrols the waters around Sebesi Island.
Off the coast of Anyer, Banten, a life jacket and a plastic container were retrieved by the collaborative SAR personnel on Thursday, September 10. However, authorities cautioned that these items have not yet been linked to the missing vessel carrying the journalists and crew members.
Did You Know? The five missing journalists represent multiple prominent media outlets, including ANTARA News Agency, Merdeka, iNews, Türkiye’s Anadolu Agency, and independent photojournalism.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the missing journalists?
The five missing journalists are Bagas Khoirunnas (ANTARA News Agency), Ari Basuki (Merdeka), Yudistiro Pranoto (iNews), Firdaus Wajidi (Türkiye’s Anadolu Agency), and freelance photojournalist Donal Husni, who were traveling with three crew members.
How many ships are currently deployed in the search?
According to Head of the Banten SAR Office Al Amrad, authorities deployed 13 ships across four different sectors to conduct the search operations.
Have any items been recovered from the water so far?
Yes. A plastic container and a life jacket were picked up by the cooperative SAR unit near Anyer, Banten, on Thursday, September 10, though officials warned that no connection has been established between the objects and the missing boat.
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