Basarnas Deploys Helicopter to Search for Missing Journalists near Anak Krakatau
The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) has deployed a helicopter to assist in the search process for five journalists and three ship crew members who went missing around Mount Anak Krakatau. The SAR team hopes the helicopter will facilitate the search process.
“In order to support the SAR operation for the eight individuals still being sought following a speedboat losing contact in the waters of the Sunda Strait, a Dauphin AS3mu N3+ helicopter with registration number HR-3604 has been deployed to support SAR operations in the Mount Anak Krakatau area, Banten,” said the Head of the Banten Search and Rescue Office, Al Amrad, on Thursday (10/9/2026).
Helicopter HR-3604 departed from Atang Sendjaja Air Force Base (ATS) at 12:36 WIB and was scheduled to arrive at JIExpo Kemayoran, Jakarta, at 12:52 WIB. The flight route includes JIExpo Kemayoran–Carita Beach–Banten BPBD–Helipad/JIExpo Kemayoran.
The helicopter carries seven crew members on board: Letkol Pnb Endrik Setyo Utomo, Kapten Pnb Dimas Aribowo, Serka Deatry Mulianto, Sertu Moch Farhan, Serda Eki P Ginting, Pratu Ronni Bagus H, and Prada Brillian Muammar.
“The deployment of this helicopter is part of the effort to strengthen the search through aerial support, specifically for monitoring the SAR operation area around the Sunda Strait waters and Mount Anak Krakatau,” he said.
Search Expanded
The search for the five journalists and three crew members who lost contact in the Mount Anak Krakatau area has entered its third day. Today, officials have deployed six vessels, including Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) ships, with assistance from local fishermen.
Amrad mentioned that there are six search sectors. Fishermen will assist in the search process in Sector E, which covers the coastal areas of Banten.
“In Sector E, after we accompany our colleagues and the fishermen conducting the search, they will be searching along the Banten coastline,” said Amrad.
For today’s search, six vessels have been deployed: KRI Lepu, KN SAR Tetuka, KN SAR Basudewa, KAL Pohawang, KP Sanjaya, and RIB 02 Banten.
The joint SAR team has expanded the search area for the victims to cover 2,109 NM².