Andra Soni Scours Rakata Island for Five Journalists Missing During Anak Krakatau Eruption Coverage
Pandeglang, VIVA – Banten Governor Andra Soni personally joined the joint SAR team in the search for five journalists and three speedboat crew members using the KN SAR 247 Tetuka, departing from Ciwandan Port, Cilegon City, on Friday, 11 September 2026.
“After a four-hour journey, we have approached the location and are still in a safe area, meaning outside the 3 km radius of Mount Anak Krakatau. We are currently circling Rakata Island,” stated Andra Soni in a statement in Pandeglang.
During the mission, Andra Soni 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 is Mount Anak Krakatau,” he said.
Andra Soni noted that the joint SAR team stationed on RIB 02 is currently conducting a sweep of Sertung Island, which is located near Mount Krakatau.
“We are providing support to RIB 02, which is heading towards Sertung Island to carry out the search,” he added.
The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) has deployed 13 vessels across four sectors on the fourth day of the search for the five journalists who lost contact while covering the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau.
The Head of the Banten SAR Office, Al Amrad, mentioned that the 13 assets deployed for the fourth day of the operation include KRI Kerambit 627, KN SAR Tetuka, KP Hayabusa, KN SAR Basudewa, KRI Leuser 924, KAL Anyer, KP Sanjaya, RIB 02 Banten, RBB P Peucang, RIB Lampung, KAL Pahowang, TB Gunung Santri, and KRI Lepu.
“For today, we are moving 13 assets divided into four sectors,” he said at the Marina Carita SAR Post, Pandeglang, Banten.
He added that the joint SAR team is continuing to monitor the islands surrounding Mount Anak Krakatau, including Sebesi Island.
“We will monitor the entirety of Krakatau Island, Panjang Island, and Sertung Island, while one RIB from Lampung, RIB 02, will circle the search area around Sebesi Island,” he explained.
Photojournalist Muhammad Bagus Khoirunas was recorded covering the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau alongside four other photojournalists: Arie Basuki from merdeka.com, Donal Husni (freelance photographer), Yudhistira from iNews, and Daus from Anadolu.