Andra Soni Hopes Search for Missing Journalists and Crew Members is Extended
Banten Governor Andra Soni continues to monitor the progress of the search operation for five journalists, two crew members, and one guide, who were reported missing while covering the area around Mount Anak Krakatau. Andra Soni has requested that the search process be extended.
“As the Governor of Banten, I also hope that Basarnas, as the leader of this operation, can consider these hopes (from the victims’ families who wish for an extension) and assess the various potentials discovered today,” said Andra on Monday (14/09/2026).
Andra hopes the search process will yield results soon. He also expressed his hope that the eight missing individuals can be found safe and sound.
“We continue to pray that they can be found in safety,” he said.
Andra stated that medical teams from the Health Office have been deployed to provide psychological support to the victims’ families.
“Therefore, we from the Health Office are providing medical personnel and psychologists to accompany the families, and we have directed them to stay in the accommodation we have provided so that we can monitor the situation,” he said.
Search Day 7
The search for the eight individuals declared missing at Mount Anak Krakatau is still ongoing. On this seventh day of searching, the joint SAR team has deployed 18 sea vessels and one helicopter to conduct the operation.
“Regarding the number of combat equipment used on this seventh day, we have 18 sea vessels and one Basarnas helicopter, unit HR-3604,” said the Head of Operations for Basarnas Banten, Rizky Dwiyanto, on Monday (14/09/2026).
Rizky stated that the search is divided into several sectors: Sector X covers 831 square nautical miles, Sector Z covers 512 square nautical miles, Sector V covers 1,182 square nautical miles, Sector W covers 1,167 square nautical miles, Sector U covers 481 square nautical miles, and Sector Y covers 4lar 413 square nautical miles. The total search area covers 6,649 square nautical miles.
“The total search area for this seventh day is 6,649 square nautical miles,” said Rizky.