Fifth Day of Search for Five Missing Journalists at Mount Krakatau, Helicopters Deployed
The group of journalists missing in the Sunda Strait waters has yet to be found. On the fifth day, the joint SAR team is optimising aerial search efforts.
“The deployment of Helicopter HR-3och is part of our efforts to strengthen the aerial search. With this support, we hope the monitoring range can be further expanded so that any possible clues regarding the whereabouts of the eight people still being searched for can be immediately identified,” said the Head of the Banten Search and Rescue Office, Al Amrad, on Saturday (12/9/2026).
Al Amrad stated that Helicopter HR-3604 carries six crew members on board, consisting of Captain Pnb Dimas, Captain Pnb Zulham, Lettu Pnb Garini, Peltu Nurdin, Sertu Henri, and Prada Prasetyo. There are no passengers on the flight.
“Aerial support is a vital part of optimising the search, especially for covering vast areas and conducting monitoring from a different perspective,” he explained.
Al Amrad noted that the search process on the fifth day has expanded the search area. Six maritime search sectors—namely Sectors T, U, Z, W, X, and Y—have been determined, covering a total area of approximately 2,537 nautical square miles. Meanwhile, the aerial search through Sector H covers an area of around 2,063 nautical square miles.
“Entering the fifth day, we are once again expanding the search area by dividing the region into several sectors, both via sea and air routes. All involved SAR elements are being optimised to sweep the designated areas,” said Al Amrad.
The eight individuals still being searched for include Warta (55) as the ship’s captain, Surakman (60) as a crew member, and Heriyanto (49) as a guide. Also missing are M. Bagus Khoirunnas (28), a journalist from Antara; Ari Basuki (52), a journalist from Merdeka; Yudhis, a journalist from iNews; Daus (42), a journalist from Anadolu; and Donal, a freelancer.
They were reported missing while attempting to cover the eruptive activity of Mount Anak Krakatau.