Awaiting Good News for Journalists Missing While Covering Anak Krakatau
Five journalists who lost contact while reporting near the Anak Krakatau volcano remain missing. All parties continue to hold onto hope for good news regarding their whereabouts.
The group departed via speedboat from Pagedongan Pier, Carita, on Monday (7/9/2026) at approximately 14:00 WIB. The last communication between the victims and journalists in Lampung occurred around 14:42 WIB, but contact with the group was lost entirely by 15:04 WIB. Since then, the whereabouts of the five journalists and three crew members have remained unknown.
The vessel was carrying eight people: journalists M Bagus Khoirunnas (Antara), Ari Basuki (Merdeka), Yudhis (iNews), Daus (Anadolu), and freelance journalist Donal, alongside the ship’s captain Warta (55), crew member Surakman (60), and guide Heriyanto (49).
Six vessels have been deployed for the search. Entering the third day, officials have mobilised six ships, including the Indonesian Navy’s KRI Lepu, alongside KN SAR Tetuka, KN SAR Basudara, KAL Pohawang, KP Sanjaya, and RIB 02 Banten, supported by local fishermen.
There are six search sectors, including Sector E, which covers the Banten coastal area. The joint SAR team has expanded the search area to cover 2,109 nautical miles squared.
Local coastal residents in Pandeglang are also participating in the humanitarian operation. Residents and fishermen are focusing their efforts on crucial points around the waters of Panaitan Island, which borders the Sunda Strait.
Lampung Regional Police Spokesperson, Kombes Yuni Iswandari, revealed that the search has been extended to include waters within the jurisdiction of the Lampung Regional Police. This expansion aims to account for the possibility that the victims may have been carried by currents towards Lampung waters.
To bolster the search, the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) has deployed a Dauphin AS365 N3+ helicopter (registration HR-3604) to provide aerial surveillance of the operational area around Anak Krakatau. The helicopter was deployed from Atang Sendjaja Air Force Base to assist in monitoring the Sunda Strait.
Families of the journalists have gathered at the command post in Carita Beach, Pandeglang, awaiting news. Desi Purnama, the wife of journalist M Bagus Khoirunnas, has been at the National SAR Post for three days. Amidst the emotional toll of the search, she has pleaded with authorities to focus the search efforts on the area near Sertung Island, near Mount Anak Krakatau.