Banten SAR Office Deploys Three Sea Vessels to Search for Journalists in Sunda Strait
The Banten SAR Office has deployed three primary maritime assets and strengthened coordination with various parties to search for a group of journalists who lost contact in the waters of the Sunda Strait, Banten, while reporting on the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau.
Head of Operations at the Banten SAR Office, Rizky Dwianto, stated that the assets deployed for the first day of the search include the Banten SAR Office’s Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) 02, the KN SAR Tetuka vessel, and the Lampung SAR Office’s RIB.
In addition to deploying maritime fleets, Basarnas is coordinating with relevant agencies to anticipate the possibility of the vessel carrying the group docking at small islands or piers that are not monitored by the joint SAR post.
Basarnas will also involve local fishermen in the search area by disseminating information regarding the missing group to expand monitoring capabilities.
“Yes, certainly. We will also spread information to the fishermen, who will later serve as additional strength for our joint SAR team in conducting the search,” he said.
Rizky noted that sea conditions are a major obstacle in the search. According to BMKG information, winds in the area are quite strong with waves measuring approximately 1–2 metres.
During the most recent search until 10:00 PM WIB, the KN SAR Tetuka continued its sweep before eventually docking at Ciwandan Port, Cilegon, due to unfavourable sea conditions and limited visibility.
The search is scheduled to resume on Wednesday (9/9) at 07:00 AM WIB. Search strength will be bolstered by the Indonesian Navy through the vessel KAL Anyer.
Furthermore, the impact of the Mount Anak Krakatau eruption is a significant safety consideration in the operation. The spreading volcanic ash poses a risk to aviation, meaning aerial assets cannot yet be utilised optimally.
“That is one of the obstacles we are currently facing with aerial assets, because the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau is still ongoing and the volcanic ash is still spreading, which could pose a risk to those aerial units,” he explained.
Rizky added that aerial searches remain an alternative should field conditions permit.
According to reports from the Banten SAR Office, the speedboat carrying the journalists departed from Pagedongan Pier, Carita, on Monday (7/9) at 2:00 PM WIB to cover the activity of Mount Anak Krakatau.
The last communication recorded the victims sharing their current location with fellow journalists in Lampung at 2:42 PM WIB, before contact was lost at 3:04 PM WIB at the suspected coordinates of 6°14’40.52”S 105°40’49.48”E.
The Head of the Banten SAR Office, Al Amrad, stated that during the search operations up to 6:15 PM WIB, the team reached as far as Krakatau Island and Panjang Island, with no findings reported.
The search operation is scheduled to continue on Wednesday (9/9) morning. The Banten SAR Office has deployed the KN SAR Tatuka and the Banten RIB, equipped with water SAR, medical, and communication equipment, in collaboration with the Banten Regional Police Water and Air Unit (Polairud).
“For tomorrow’s plan, we will continue to expand the search area because today we studied the route from Carita to Anak Gunung Krakatau. That is the plan,” he said.
Preliminary data from Basarnas indicates that at least seven people are currently missing, including ANTARA news photographer M Bagus Khoirunnas, Ari Basuki (Merdeka), Yudhis (iNews), Daus (Anadolu), Donal (freelance journalist), and two others who are still being processed in the records.