Banten Governor Joins Search Efforts for Five Missing Journalists
The Governor of Banten, Andra Soni, directly participated in the search process for five journalists and three speedboat crew members alongside the Joint SAR Team, using the KN SAR 247 Tetuka from Ciwandan Port, Cilegon, on Friday morning (11/9).
“After a four-hour journey, we have approached the location, which remains in a safe area, meaning it is outside the 3 km radius of Mount Anak Krakatau. We are currently circling Rakata Island,” stated Andra Soni in a statement in Pandeglang on Friday.
During the mission, Andra Soni pointed out Great Rakata Island and Mount Anak Krakatau from the vessel he occupied with the Joint SAR Team.
“That is Great Rakata, and that silhouette you see is Mount Anak Krakatau,” he said.
Andra Soni noted that the Joint SAR Team on the RIB 02 vessel is currently conducting a sweep of Sertung Island, 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 Kerambat 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, on Friday.
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.
ANTARA photojournalist Muhammad Bagus Khoirunas was reported to be 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.
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.