Breakthrough in Search for Five Missing Journalists
A breakthrough has emerged in the search for five journalists who went missing in the Sunda Strait while attempting to cover the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau. The remains of one of the crew members aboard the vessel carrying the journalists have been found.
Eight people, consisting of five journalists and three crew members, went missing while heading towards Mount Anak Krakata on 7 September 2026. On Saturday (12/9), an unidentified body was discovered on Enggano Island, Bengkulu.
The body was subsequently evacuated, and the police conducted DNA testing. Meanwhile, the search process for the eight individuals has been halted.
The identities of the eight missing persons are:
M Bagus Khoirunnas (Antara)
Arie Basuki (Merdeka.com)
Yudistiro Pranoto (iNews)
Firman Daus (Anadolu Agency)
Donal Husni (Freelance journalist)
Warta/Surakman (Ship Captain)
Surakman (Crew member)
Heriyanto (Guide)
Banten Regional Police have revealed that the identity of the male body found on Enggano Island, Bengkulu, is Surakman (50), a crew member of the Arupadhatu 1. The victim was identified through a DNA match with his son.
“The unidentified body has been identified as Surakman, a crew member of the Arupadhatu 1 ship, who was covering the Anak Krakatau eruption on 7 September 2026,” stated Banten Regional Police Chief, Inspector General Hengki, during a press conference on Wednesday (23/9/2026).
Following the discovery of the body on Enggano Island, the Bengkulu Regional Police coordinated with the Banten Regional Police to identify the deceased. The victim was described as wearing black shorts, measuring approximately 163 cm in height, and aged around 50 years.
Data from the eight families of the missing group were processed by the DVI (Disaster Victim Identification) Team. DNA testing confirmed a match between the deceased and one of the family members.
Basarnas (National Search and Rescue Agency) is known to have ceased the search for the group after conducting operations for 10 days. So far, Basarnas stated there are no signs of the search operation being reopened following the discovery of the crew member’s body.
“Regarding whether the search will be resumed, according to regulations, our search lasted for seven days, which we then extended by three days. During that period, we found a lead on the 12th. We evaluated the situation until the 14th and extended it for another three days. After that, there were no further signs of the victims, so we proceeded with e-broadcasting and monitoring,” said the Head of the Banten Basarnas Office, Al Amrad, to reporters.
Amrad noted that Basarnas Banten is currently coordinating with Basermas Bengkulu and Lampung to gather information in coastal areas. This action follows the cessation of the joint SAR team operation on 17 September 2026.
“We are coordinating with the SAR offices in Bengkulu and Lampung regarding the coastal areas and local fishermen,” he added.
According to Amrad, there is currently no information regarding the whereabouts of the other seven individuals or the Arupadhatu 1 vessel. “As of now, coordination in Bengkulu has yielded nothing, including in the Lebak area,” he added.
Surakman’s family is awaiting the arrival of his remains at the funeral home in Pandeglang, Banten. The body is planned to be buried at the Ki Demang Public Cemetery in Carita, Pandeglang.
“The Governor is expected to arrive around noon. There will be funeral prayers at the Grand Mosque, followed by burial at the Ki Demang Cemetery,” said Surakman’s son, Yayat Suryadi, at the funeral home in Sukajadi Village, Carita, Pandeglang.
Yayat stated that the family has accepted his father’s passing and will hold a memorial service on Thursday (24/9) night.
Yayat requested the police to return his father’s remains to Banten, a request which the police have fulfilled.
The Governor of Banten, Andra Soni, stated that Surakman’s remains are expected to arrive at Soekarno-Hatta Airport around 07:00 WIB tomorrow morning. He noted that the Pandeglang Police will meet the remains at the airport.