BASARNAS: Search for Five Missing Journalists Reverted to Routine Operations

The Head of the National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS), Air Marshal Mohammad Syafii, stated that the search for five journalists and two ship crew members still missing in the Sunda Strait continues. He noted that the search is now being conducted through routine operations.

“Up to now, follow-up searches are still being conducted. However, the operation has been transitioned into routine operations,” Syafii said at the parliamentary complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Thursday (24/09/2026).

Monitoring has also been expanded to several regions, including Bengkulu. According to him, the SAR team in Bengkulu is also directing routine operations towards the waters surrounding Enggano Island.

“For instance, those in Bengkulu are also conducting routine operations directed towards the Enggano Island area. So, it is still ongoing,” he mentioned.

Syafii also addressed the discovery of a body in Enggano, which was recently identified as Surakman, a crew member of the vessel carrying the missing journalists. He stated that the deceased had been buried by local residents.

“And that has already been buried. At the time, based on the data, including clothing and everything else, it was shown to the family. None of the victim’s family members initially recognised the body. However, once a DNA test was conducted, a match was found,” he explained.

Previously, eight individuals, consisting of five journalists and three crew members, went missing while travelling towards Mount Anak Krakatau on 7 September 2026. On Saturday (12/09), a body was discovered in Enggano.

The DNA test results subsequently showed a match between the deceased and the DNA of Surakman’s son, Yayat. The identification process took approximately 10 days, and the DNA test results were finalised on 22 September.