Basarnas Vessel Deployed to Search for Five Journalists Missing During Anak Krakatau Eruption Coverage
The Banten Regional Police have announced that Basarnas has deployed a vessel to search for five journalists who went missing while attempting to cover the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau in the Sunda Strait. The vessel is scheduled to remain at sea for three days.
Banten Regional Police Head of Public Relations, Kombes Maruli Hutapea, stated that a joint team is conducting the search for the entire group. “The search involves 23 personnel, consisting of two personnel from KP Sanjaya of the National Police Headquarters, five personnel from the Banten Regional Police Water Police, and 16 personnel from Basarnas Banten. The search is supported by the Basarnas vessel KN Tetuka, which is moving from the BBJ Bojonegara Port pier towards the Carita waters and subsequently to the search location,” Maruli told reporters on Tuesday (8/9/2026).
He added that the vessel will remain at sea for three days to continue the search operations.
Maruli reported that weather conditions in the search area are currently partly cloudy with winds blowing from south to north at a speed of approximately 16.7 knots, and wave heights ranging from 0.4 to 1 metre. Additionally, there is a distribution of volcanic ash, which has reduced visibility to approximately one mile.
Maruli stated that the police, alongside Basarnas, will continue to conduct searches and monitor developments on the ground. The public is urged to remain calm and avoid approaching areas that could potentially endanger safety.
“We, together with Basarnas, will continue to carry out maximum search efforts and provide updates based on the results from the field,” he said.
The suspected last location is in the waters of the Sunda Strait, Pandeglang Regency, approximately 9.98 nautical miles (NM) from RIB 02 BTN, with an estimated travel time of about 40 minutes.
Preliminary data on the missing group includes M Bagus Khoirunnas (Antara journalist), Ari Basuki (Merdeka journalist), Yudhis (iNews journalist), Daus (Anadolu journalist), and Donal (freelance). Two other individuals are currently still being processed for identification.
“The group of journalists departed from Pagedongan Pier, Carita, on Monday (7/9) at approximately 14:00 WIB using a speedboat to cover the activity of Mount Anak Krakatau,” Maruli explained.
“The last communication was known to have occurred around 14:42 WIB, when one member of the group sent their last location to a colleague. Subsequently, at around 15:04 WIB, communication with the group could no longer be established,” he added.