Banyuwangi SAR: Search for Missing Hiker on Kawah Ijen Trail Expanded
Banyuwangi (ANTARA) - The Head of the Banyuwangi Search and Rescue Office (SAR), East Java, I Made Oka Astawa, has expanded the search area on the second day of operations for a hiker reported missing whilst trekking on the Kawah Ijen Nature Reserve trail.
On Wednesday (18 February), the hiker declared missing at the Kawah Ijen Nature Reserve was identified as Muhammad Dzikri Maulana, a resident of Tamansari Village, Licin District. The victim had set out to climb with four companions, and upon reaching the summit of Kawah Ijen, became separated from the group and has not been found since.
“On the second day of SAR operations, at 06:30 Western Indonesian Time, all elements conducted a briefing and divided forces into two search and rescue units (SRUs),” said Oka Astawa in Banyuwangi, East Java, on Thursday.
He said the SAR operation for the missing hiker on the Kawah Ijen trail involved a total of 41 joint personnel from the Banyuwangi SAR Office Rescue Team, the Banyuwangi Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Licin Police Sector, Licin Military District Command, the Gunung Ijen Natural Resources Conservation Agency (KSDA), Banyuwangi Independent SAR, and local community members.
According to him, the second day of SAR operations was divided into two search and rescue units (SRUs). SRU One conducted a sweep of the hiking trail from Paltuding to the Kawah Ijen summit, a distance of approximately 3.6 kilometres, using the hasty search method.
“Meanwhile, SRU Two carried out a search around the incident location using an open grid pattern (Type II) covering one square kilometre to expand coverage and ensure no area was overlooked,” said Oka Astawa.
He added that weather conditions at the location were reported as overcast but relatively supportive of the search effort, and that search operations would continue to be maximised whilst maintaining personnel safety.
“We are optimising the sweep of the main hiking trail and expanding the search area around the location using the grid method. All elements are working in a coordinated and systematic manner,” said Oka Astawa.