5 Journalists Lose Contact While Covering Anak Krakatau; Police Inspect Ship Owner and Vessel Condition
The search for eight people who went missing after KM Arupadatu 1 lost contact in the waters of the Sunda Strait, Banten, entered its third day on Thursday, 10 September 2026.
Amidst efforts to locate the five journalists and three crew members, the Indonesian National Police (Polri) are executing two simultaneous approaches. A joint team is expanding maritime patrols, while land-based investigators have begun gathering information regarding the condition of the vessel and the sequence of events leading up to the loss of contact.
At least 59 police personnel have been deployed for the third day of the SAR (Search and Rescue) operation. The Director of Marine and Air Police of the Banten Regional Police, Kombes Pol Eko Hartanto, personally went out to sea using KP Sanjaya-7017 to monitor the search process.
Head of Public Relations for Polri, Brigjen Pol Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko, emphasised that while the search remains the priority, the investigation process is also proceeding.
“Our priority is to find the journalists and crew members who are still being searched for. Therefore, we continue to strengthen our SAR capabilities. Simultaneously, an investigation is being conducted to ensure the entire sequence of events can be established based on facts. At sea, we are searching and attempting to rescue; on land, we are collecting and verifying every piece of information,” said Trunoyodo.
On the third day, Basarnas Banten divided the search area into six zones, covering a total area of 2,483 nautical miles square (NM²).
KP Sanjaya-7017 returned to patrol the designated sectors. Meanwhile, police personnel have also been deployed to reinforce Basarnas’ KN SAR Tetuka.
The patrol is being conducted based on specific sectors and coordinates, taking into account the vessel’s last known position, wind direction, currents, waves, weather conditions, and the latest field reports.
“We continue to expand and optimise the search. Every piece of information, no matter how small, will be considered as it could serve as a vital clue for the teams in the field,” added Trunoyodo.
KP Sanjaya-7017 has been involved in the operation since the second day. On Thursday morning, personnel held a briefing before moving towards the waters surrounding Mount Anak Krakatau.
A total of 36 personnel are stationed on KP Sanjaya-7017, consisting of 27 crew members, five personnel from the Banten Regional Police Marine and Air Police, two Basarnas personnel, and two media members.
Additionally, three personnel from the Banten Regional Police Marine and Air Police have been deployed to reinforce KN SAR Tetuka to support the search in the designated sectors.