Day 5 of Search for 5 Missing Journalists: SAR Team Finds Life Jackets and Helmets

The joint Search and Rescue (SAR) team has yet to find any definitive clues regarding the whereabouts of five journalists and three ship crew members who went missing in the waters of the Sunda Strait while reporting on Mount Anak Krakatau’s activity. On the fifth day of the search, the SAR team discovered life jackets, helmets, and jerry cans.

“The KN SAR Tetuka (found) a jerry can, a helmet, and a life jacket,” said Al Amrad from the Banten Search and Rescue Office, speaking to reporters at the joint SAR post in Carita District, Pandeglang Regency, on Saturday (12/09/2026).

Amrad stated that these three items were found in sector 5 of the search area. According to him, a blue oil jerry can was discovered at approximately 10:05 WIB, and a red helmet was found at 12:00 WIB.

Meanwhile, an orange life jacket was found at 17:10 WIB, and a red life jacket was found at 18:09 WIB. The search in sector five covered the southern area of Mount Anak Krakatau and the Ujung Kulon waters, spanning an area of 380 nautical miles.

“These items have been handed over to the authorities for further identification,” said Amrad.

He noted that today’s maritime search was divided into six sectors—sectors T, U, Z, W, X, and Y—covering a total area of approximately 2,537 nautical miles. Meanwhile, the aerial search through sector H covered an area of approximately 2,063 nautical miles.

“All elements involved in the search, including the Navy, the Marine Police (Dirpolair), Basarnas, and the SAR offices of Banten, Jakarta, Lampung, and Bengkulu, report that there have been no findings so far,” Amrad said.

“The current obstacle in the field, according to all reports from our colleagues in the joint SAR team, is very thick fog, which is obstructing visibility,” he added.