A high-speed boat carrying five photojournalists assigned to document the Anak Krakatau eruption in the Sunda Strait went missing on Monday, September 7, 2026, alongside three crew members. Following a 10-day joint search and rescue operation involving 523 personnel that concluded without results, authorities identified one of the missing crew members after his body washed ashore hundreds of kilometers away in North Bengkulu.
The swift vessel, named KM Arupadhatu I, lost contact during the assignment in the Sunda Strait waters. Despite extensive sweeps by the 523-person joint search and rescue team over a 10-day period, all eight individuals aboard vanished without leaving a trace during the initial response phase.
Did You Know? Five days after KM Arupadhatu I lost contact, an unidentified body was recovered from Enggano Island in North Bengkulu Utara, positioned approximately 347 to 350 kilometers away from the vessel’s last detected coordinates in the Sunda Strait.
DNA Testing Confirms Identity of Recovered Crew Member
Following the discovery of the unidentified body on Enggano Island, the DVI Polri (Disaster Victim Identification police team) conducted DNA testing to establish identity. The forensic analysis confirmed that the deceased individual was Surakman, a 60-year-old crew member (ABK) who served on KM Arupadhatu I.
Meteorological Analysis of Sunda Strait Currents
Meteorological authorities, specifically the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG), examined the directional flow and velocity of currents present in the Sunda Strait on the day of the incident.
Investigators continue to evaluate the BMKG data alongside other environmental factors influencing floating objects at sea.
DNA testing identifies crew member Surakman from Enggano Island body
What vessel was involved in the incident?
The vessel involved was a high-speed boat named KM Arupadhatu I, which was transporting five photojournalists and three crew members.
How many people were aboard KM Arupadhatu I?
A total of eight people were aboard the vessel, comprising five photojournalists covering the Anak Krakatau eruption and three ship crew members.
How was Surakman identified?
Surakman was identified after DNA testing conducted by the DVI Polri matched the body found on Enggano Island to the 60-year-old crew member.
What is your perspective on how rapid oceanic drift impacts search and rescue operations in open waters?