Member of Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives\n(DPR RI), Junico Siahaan (Nico Siahaan), has expressed profound concern\nover the disappearance of five journalists who were covering activities\nat Mount Anak Krakatau in the waters of the Sunda Strait. Junico\nemphasised that this incident serves as a reminder of how heavy and\nrisky press duties can be in the field.<\/p>\n
As someone with a long background in the media and broadcasting\nindustry, Junico explained that every piece of information or broadcast\nenjoyed by the public is the result of hard work fraught with risk.\n\u201cBehind every image that reaches the public, there is a crew working,\nfacing risks, and having families waiting for them to return home,\u201d\nJunoca stated in an official statement in Jakarta on Thursday\n(10\/09\/2026).<\/p>\n
Junico hopes that the ongoing search operation will proceed smoothly\nand that the entire group is found safe. He urged the joint SAR (Search\nand Rescue) team and the government to optimise all resources by\nintegrating technical and field information. Data to be synchronised\nincludes the last known position, communication traces, current\nconditions, weather, and information from families, colleagues, boat\noperators, and the local community around the Sunda Strait. \u201cEvery clue\nregarding their possible location, including search requests around\nSertung Island, needs to be verified and followed up by the SAR team\naccording to operational assessments,\u201d he asserted.<\/p>\n
In addition to the technical search, Junico requested that the\ngovernment appoint an official liaison officer to accompany the victims\u2019\nfamilies. This is deemed essential so that developments in the search,\noperational obstacles, and future plans can be communicated regularly\nwith clear and empathetic language. He also reminded the media companies\nwhere the journalists work to be actively involved, adding, \u201cMedia\ncompanies need to be involved so that responsibilities towards their\nemployees and their families can be fully met.\u201d<\/p>\n
Separately, the Banten Search and Rescue (SAR) Office has increased\nthe intensity of the operation by deploying a Dauphin AS365 N3+\nhelicopter, registration number HR-3604. This aerial support is focused\non monitoring the waters of the Sunda Strait and the area surrounding\nMount Anak Krakatau. The Head of the Banten SAR Office, Al Amrad,\nexplained that the helicopter carries seven personnel to strengthen\naerial monitoring. The flight route covers crucial points from Carita\nBeach to the last known coordinates.<\/p>\n
In addition to the five journalists, there are three crew members who\nwere also on the speedboat when the incident occurred. The joint SAR\noperation, now in its third day, has expanded the search for the group\nto the edges of Mount Anak Krakatau, covering an area of 2,109 nautical\nmiles squared. Efforts to locate the eight missing\nindividuals\u2014comprising five journalists and three crew members\u2014continue\nto be expanded.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/journalists-missing-in-sunda-strait-nico-siahaan-press-duties-are-heavy-1789037797", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }