Andra Soni Joins SAR Team to Search for Five Missing Journalists, Inspects Rakata Island
The Governor of Banten, Andra Soni, has joined the search process for five journalists and three speedboat crew members who went missing in the area of Mount Anak Krakatau in the Sunda Strait. Andra Soni boarded the KN SAR 247 to patrol the perimeter of Mount Anak Krakatau.
Andra Soni departed from Ciwandan Port, Cilegon City, on Friday (11/09/2026). Before departure, he participated in a joint prayer session with the combined SAR team.
The vessel set sail to search for the missing victims around Krakatau. While on board, Andra Soni surveyed the surrounding area.
“After a four-hour journey, we have approached the location, and it remains in a safe area, meaning outside the 3-kilometre zone of Mount Anak Krakatau. We are currently circling Rakata Island,” Andra Soni stated in a shared video.
During the excursion, Andra Soni also pointed out Great Rakata Island and Mount Anak Krakatau from the vessel he occupied alongside the joint SAR team.
“That is Great Rakata, and that silhouette you see is Mount Anak Krakatau,” he said.
Furthermore, Andra Soni noted that the joint SAR team stationed on RIB 02 is currently sweeping the area of Sertung Island, which is located near Mount Anak Krakatau.
“We are providing support to RIB 02, which is heading towards Sertung Island to conduct a sweep,” he added.
Previously, the joint SAR team has been working continuously to find five journalists reported missing in the Sunda Strait waters while attempting to cover activities at Mount Anak Krakatau. Today’s search operation involves sweeping Pulau Panjang and Pulau Sertung.
“The search operation has entered its fourth day regarding the speedboat that lost contact in the waters around Mount Anak Krakatau,” said the Head of the Banten Search and Rescue Office, Al Amrad, in Carita, Pandeglang, on Friday (11/09/2026).
In today’s search process, the team has been divided into four sectors. The SAR team will attempt to sweep the islands in the Mount Anak Krakatau area, including Sertung Island.
“They will conduct sweeps along the coasts of Krakatau, Pulau Panjang, and Pulau Sertung,” said Al Amrad.
Al Amrad stated that, according to BMKG reports, the weather in the Sunda Strait waters is currently partly cloudy. These conditions could facilitate the SAR team’s search efforts.
“Based on the BMSK data we have received, the weather is partly cloudy. We hope it remains so until the afternoon, as any changes would significantly impact visibility,” he said.
Previously, the joint SAR team, alongside local fishermen, had already descended to the islands around Mount Anak Krakatau to search for the five journalists who went missing while covering the eruption at Sertung Island. However, the SAR team has not yet been able to enter Sertung Island directly as the area remains high-risk.