Body Found in Kali Terate Confirmed Not to be the Five Journalists Missing While Covering Anak Krakatau; Uncertainty Remains for Enggano Island Discovery

Banten, VIVA – The hopes of the families of five journalists and three citizens who went missing in the waters of the Sundable Strait have been tested once again following the discovery of bodies in two different locations.

Police have confirmed that the first body is not part of the crew from the Arupadatu 1 speedboat, while the identity of another body remains a mystery.

The first body was found by residents near the mouth of the Kali Terate river, Kramatwatu, Serang, Banten, on Saturday, 12 September 2026. Following examinations and primary data matching, police confirmed that the deceased is not related to the eight individuals still being sought by the SAR team.

The Head of Public Relations for the Banten Regional Police, Commissioner Maruli Ahiles Hutapea, stated that this certainty was obtained based on the results of the examination of the body.

“Regarding the body found around the mouth of the Kali Terate River, Kramatwatu, based on the primary data we obtained and the results of the examination, it is confirmed not to be one of the colleagues who lost contact from the Arupadatu speedboat,” he said, as quoted on Tuesday, 15 September 2026.

However, a different certainty has not yet been reached regarding the body found on Enggano Island, Bengkulu Province. The body has been evacuated via aircraft to the Bengkulu Regional Police headquarters. An autopsy was also conducted on Monday, 14 September 2026.

“As for the body found on Enggano Island, Bengkulu Province, it has been evacuated to the Bengkulu Regional Police, and an autopsy was performed today. We are still awaiting the results of the DNA matching with samples from the families of those who lost contact,” he said.

From coordination with the Bengkulu Regional Police, the body in Enggano is known to be male. He was approximately 165 centimetres tall and estimated to be over 50 years old. The condition of the face had suffered damage, meaning direct identification could not yet confirm the individual’s identity.

“The condition of the face has suffered damage. To confirm the identity, we are still awaiting the DNA examination results,” he added.

The Banten Regional Police have requested that the public do not rush to conclusions regarding the identity of the body in Enggano. Police are still waiting for the results of DNA testing against samples from the families of the missing victims.

“We ask for time to wait for the results of the DNA examination and matching from the Bengkulu Regional Police. Once the results are out, we will, of course, officially inform the public and our media colleagues,” he concluded.