Bandung Journalists Hold Joint Prayer for Journalists Missing in Sunda Strait
Bandung - Dozens of journalists in the city of Bandung held a solidarity action and joint prayer for five journalists who lost contact in the waters of the Sunda Strait while performing coverage duties for the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau.
The event, held at the Indonesia Menggugat Building (GIM) in Bandung on Friday night, was initiated by the Indonesian Photojournalists Forum (PFI) Bandung, alongside the Indonesian Television Journalists Association (IJTI) West Java and the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) Bandung.
Chairman of PFI Bandung, Raisan Al Farisi, stated that the action was carried out as a form of solidarity within the press community and a collective effort to pray for the safety of the five journalists and three crew members who have not been found as of the fourth day of the search.
“Tonight’s action involves PFI working with IJTI West Java and AJI Bandung to hold a joint prayer and light candles as a form of solidarity,” said Raisan.
He noted that the event carried the theme “Lighting Hope” as a symbol of support and prayer for the five journalists and three crew members still being searched for.
“Our hope, through PFI, IJTI, and AJI, is that the search today and tomorrow will yield results. We in Bandung pray for them to be found soon and safely,” he added.
The solidarity action included joint prayers and the lighting of candles. The event was followed by a theatrical performance by mime artist Wanggi Hoediyatmo as an expression of support for the journalists still missing.
Meanwhile, the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) has deployed 13 vessels on the fourth day of the search operation for the five journalists who lost contact during the coverage of Mount Anak Krakatau’s eruption.
“For today, we are deploying 13 assets divided into four sectors,” a representative stated.
The deployed fleet includes 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.
The five photojournalists reported missing are ANTARA photographer Muhammad Bagus Khoirunas, Arie Basuki from merdeka.com, Donal Husni (freelance photographer), Yudhistira from iNews, and Daus from Anadolu.
The five photojournalists have been out of contact since Monday (7/9) while travelling towards the Sunda Strait waters to cover the eruptive activity of Mount Anak Krakatau.