Chronology of Journalists Losing Contact While Attempting to Cover Anak Krakatau

Five journalists covering the activity of Mount Anak Krakatau (GAK) in the Sunda Strait waters have reportedly failed to return to land.

Sandi, the Village Head of Sukajould, Carita District, Pandeglang, stated that the group initially chartered a boat from residents in Sukajould Village. They departed to cover the waters around Mount Anak Krakatau on Monday (7/9) at approximately 14:00 WIB.

“They departed at 14:00 WIB yesterday, with plans for a round trip, but so far there has been no information,” he said on Tuesday (8/9/2026).

Sandi noted that at around 16:00 WIB, a guide on the boat reported a safe condition to his wife. However, after that point, their whereabouts became unknown.

“If they departed at 14:00 WIB, they were expected to reach land by approximately 20:00 WIB. Until now, there has been no contact,” he added.

Sandi mentioned that eight people were part of the expedition to the waters of Mount Anak Krakatau, consisting of five journalists, one guide, one captain, and one crew member.

Previously, several reporters were reported to have lost contact while attempting to cover the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau in the Sunda Strait. The SAR team is currently conducting search operations.

“On Monday, 7 September 2026, at 14:00 WIB, journalists from Banten departed from the Pagedongan pier in Carita to cover the activity of Mount Anak Krakatau,” said the Head of Basarnas Banten, Al Amrad, in a statement on Tuesday (8/9/2026).

According to Amrad, one of the journalists managed to communicate with a journalist in Lampung at approximately 14:42 WIB, sending their last known location.

“The last communication from the victims to a Lampung journalist named Abay was at 14:42 (7/9/26) via a shared location, and contact was lost at 15:04. As of this report, the victims have not been found,” he said.

The SAR team is continuing the search. Basarnas has recorded that five journalists departed for the Sunda Strait by boat.

This news was updated following a briefing from Basarnas at 19:40 WIB, clarifying that while five journalists lost contact, two others were crew members of the vessel.