Basarnas on the Search for Five Missing Journalists After Crew Member's Body is Found
The body of a crew member who was part of the group of journalists missing near Mount Anak Krakatau has been discovered in Bengkulu. This raises questions regarding the status of the search for the remaining members of the group who have yet to be found.
Basarnas has ceased the search for the group of journalists after conducting operations for 10 days. So far, Basarnas stated that there are no signs of the search operation being reopened following the discovery of the crew member’s body.
“Regarding whether a re-search will occur, as we mentioned earlier, according to the regulations, our search was carried out for seven days. We extended it by an additional three days. During those seven days, we conducted explorations on the 12th. From the 12th until the 14th, we evaluated and extended it for three days. After those three days, there were no signs of the victims, which is why we are proceeding with e-broadcasting and monitoring,” said the Head of the Banten Basarnas Office, Al Amrad, to reporters on Wednesday (23/09/2026).
Amrad noted that Basarnas Banten is currently coordinating with Basarnas Bengkulu and Lampung to gather information in coastal areas. This action follows the cessation of the joint SAR team search operations on 17 September 2026.
“As for the extension, up to this point, we have coordinated with the SAR Offices in Bengkulu and Lampung to monitor the coastal areas and local fishermen in the vicinity,” he said.
According to Amrad, there is currently no information regarding the whereabouts of the other seven individuals or the location of the vessel, Arupadhatu 1.
“At this time, Bengkulu is still conducting coordination, and the results have been nil, including in the Lebak area,” he added.
Crew Member’s Body Identified
Previously, the Banten Regional Police revealed the identity of the male body found on Enggano Island, Bengkulu, as Surakman (50), a crew member of the Arupadhethu 1. The victim’s body was identified through a DNA match with his son.
“The unidentified body was identified as Surakman, a crew member and the biological father of Mr Yayat. Mr Yayat is the individual on the right, the biological son of Mr Surakman, a crew member of the Arupadhatu 1 vessel, who was covering the eruption of Anak Krakatau on 7 September 2026,” said Banten Regional Police Chief, Inspector General Hengki, during a press conference on Wednesday (23/09/2026).
It is known that after the body was found on Enggano Island, the Bengkulu Regional Police immediately coordinated with the Banten Regional Police to identify the deceased. The victim was described as wearing black shorts, standing 163 cm tall, and aged approximately 50 years.
Subsequently, the DVI (Disaster Victim Identification) team used antemortem and postmortem data from the eight families of the journalists missing while covering the Mount Anak Krakatau eruption to perform the identification. DNA testing confirmed a match between the body and one of the family members.
“In the process of identifying the body, the Head of Medical Services of the Bengkulu Regional Police communicated with the Head of Medical Services of the Banten Regional Police. It was agreed that identification and matching would be conducted by the DVI team using antemortem data from the eight families of the Arupadhatu vessel victims against the unidentified body found on Enggano Island, Bengkulu, covering primary data such as fingerprints, teeth, and DNA,” he stated.