Helicopter HR-3604 Deployed to Search for 5 Missing Journalists in Sunda Strait
The joint SAR team has deployed the Dauphin AS 365 N3+ HR-3604 helicopter to strengthen the search operation for eight people, including five journalists, who lost contact in the waters of the Sunda Strait, Pandeglang, Banten. The helicopter took off from ATS at 08:20 WIB and arrived at Carita Beach at 09:05 WIB on Saturday (12/9).
The Head of the Banten Search and Rescue Office, Al Amrad, stated that aerial support is crucial to optimising the search across the vast area. Aerial monitoring is expected to provide a different perspective to find clues regarding the victims’ whereabouts.
“With this support, we hope the monitoring range can be further expanded so that any possible clues regarding the eight people still being searched for can be immediately identified,” said Al Amrad, as reported by Antara.
The HR-3604 helicopter is manned by six personnel: Captain Pnb Dimas, Captain Pnb Zulham, Lettu Pnb Garini, Peltu Nurdin, Sertu Henri, and Prada Prasetyo. The aerial search focus is directed towards the area around Mount Anak Krakatau and the Sunda Strait waters, with weather conditions reported as clear when the operation commenced.
The disappearance of the group began on Monday (7/9) at approximately 14:00 WIB. The group departed via speedboat from Pagedongan Pier, Carita, heading towards the Mount Anak Krakatau area to cover volcanic activity.
The eight individuals still being searched for consist of five photojournalists: Muhammad Bagus Khoirunas (ANTARA), Arie Basuki (merdeka.com), Donal Husni (freelance photographer), Yudhistira (iNews), and Daus (Anadolu). In addition to the journalists, there are three others on the boat, namely the captain, a crew member, and a guide.
All elements of the Joint SAR team are currently moving according to the operational plan, prioritising personnel safety and monitoring field weather conditions, which currently feature visibility of less than 8 kilometres.
Baznas Disaster Response (BTB) continues the search for the five journalists and three crew members who lost contact near Mount Anak Krakatau. The Indonesian Photojournalists Association (PFI) and the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia held a joint prayer for the safety of the five journalists and three crew members lost in the Sunda Strait. The Joint SAR team has also discovered an orange lifebuoy during the search in the Mount Anak Krakatau area. Basarnas has expanded the search for the five journalists into four sectors, deploying 13 boats on the fourth day of the SAR operation. The Mayor of Bandung, Muhammad Farhan, has called upon the public to pray for the safety of the five journalists and three crew members who remain missing in the Sunda Strait waters.