Father Still Awaits Return of Journalist Missing During Anak Krakatau Coverage
The search for five journalists who lost contact while attempting to cover the activity of Mount Anak Krakatau in the Sunda Strait waters is still being conducted by the joint SAR (Search and Rescue) team. Mansyur Suryana, the father of Muhammad Bagus Khoirunas, continues to await the return of his son.
It is reported that Muhammad Bagus Khoirunas is an Antara journalist who was part of a group including Ari Basuki (Merdeka.com), Yudistiro Pranoto (iNews), Firman Daus (Anadolu Agency), and Donal Husni (freelance). They departed to cover the eruption activity of Mount Anak Krakatau (GAK) on Monday (7/9) at approximately 14:00 WIB. They sailed with three crew members: Warta as captain, Sukarman as crew, and Heriyanto as a guide.
Mansyur stated that the last information he received regarding Bagus’s whereabouts was in the Carita area on Monday (7/9). However, he claimed he was unaware that Bagus was heading towards Mount Anak Krakatau.
“I met a journalist named Jacki from Banten, and I asked him, ‘Jack, have you seen Bagus?’ He said he had, at around 15:00 WIB on Monday afternoon. When I asked where, he replied Bagus was at Carita Beach. I didn’t know; I had no premonition. I thought he was just going to Carita to take photos of the atmosphere, so I didn’t pursue it,” he said at the Joint SAR Operation Post at Carita Beach, Pandeglang, on Friday (11/9/2026).
Mansyur mentioned that he would have forbidden the trip if he had known his son was heading into the waters of the Sunda Strait, as the weather conditions in the area remain unstable. “If he wanted to monitor the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau with other journalists, if I had known, I definitely would have forbidden it,” he said.
Mansyural noted that Bagus is currently an eighth-semester student at Pamulang University and is scheduled to complete his studies in 2027. “He studied Psychology at Uhamka Jakarta until the 6th semester, and is now continuing at Pamulang University, Serang, in his 6th semester. He told me he would graduate in 2027 because Antara requires a Bachelor’s degree,” he added.
While Mansyur expressed his acceptance of whatever fate may befall his son, he remains steadfast in waiting for good news. “I am resigned to any unwanted outcomes. This is his job, working for the benefit of the community and the country. There is a spiritual value in it, which is known as martyrdom. But I hope he is safe. Until now, I am waiting for my son’s return. I am optimistic we can find him because of the power of prayers from friends,” he said.