Hope Remains After Surakman is Found

After 11 days of uncertainty, the Banten Regional Police have finally announced a DNA match between the body found on Enggano Island and Surakman—one of the crew members who was part of the group of journalists travelling to Mount Anak Krakatau.

For the families of the journalists and the two other crew members, this discovery provides a new glimmer of hope that those still missing might soon be found. “I and my family always hope that my husband will return and be found, regardless of the circumstances,” said Evi, the wife of Heriyanto (also known as Bonsai), one of the crew members involved in the journalist group, to detikX last week.

Evi hopes that the discovery of Surakman’s body on an island approximately 350 kilometres from the suspected location where five journalists and three crew members went missing could mark a new beginning for the search for the remaining seven people. Although Basarnas officially concluded the search process on Thursday, 17 September 2026, Evi has requested that the search be restarted following Surakman’s discovery.

“I am pleading and asking for the search to continue and be conducted in the areas of Enggano Island and Lampung,” she said with visible distress.

Similar sentiments were expressed by Mansur, the father of Antara photographer Muhammad Bagus Khoirunnas. As an only child, Bagus is still dearly awaited by Mansur, as well as by his wife and children at home. He hopes that, whatever happens, Bagus can be found soon. Consequently, Mansur is appealing to Basarnas to reopen the search process for those missing.

“Since there is now a lead, we hope the search operation will be continued,” Mansur stated.

The families of the missing journalists held a funeral prayer (salat gaib). The same hope is shared by the families of other victims, including the families of Arie Basuki, Yudistiro Pranoto, Firman Daus, Donal, and Warta. All are hoping that the search process will be resumed so that, at the very least, those missing can be found, regardless of their condition.

Unfortunately, although hope has brightened, there have been no signs from Basarnas or the police regarding the reopening of an intensive search. The Head of Basarnas Banten, Al Amrad, stated that his agency had exerted its best efforts during the 10-day search from 8–12 September.

During that period, 18 vessels or primary SAR equipment were deployed to search almost every corner of the Sunda Strait waters. The search was divided into four sectors, extending towards Tanjung Belimbing. Several islands near Mount Anak Krakatau were also surveyed, including Krakatau Besar, Pulau Panjang, Pulau Sertung, and Pulau Sebesi.

In this search process, Basarnas also collaborated with elements of the Navy, Marine Police, port authorities, and the local community. Teams from SAR Banten and SAR Lampung were deployed to sweep the waters of Lampung and Banten.

While continuing the maritime search, helicopters were also deployed to survey the eastern to western sides of Mount Anak Krakatau. However, despite an additional three-day search period granted at the request of the victims’ families, Basarnas found almost no clues regarding the whereabouts of the missing.

Findings of jerry cans and life jackets at various points in the waters during the search were not identical to the items on the Arupadhatu 1 vessel, which carried the five journalists and three crew members. The search ultimately ended without success on 18 September 2026.

“As of now, Bengkulu is still coordinating, but there have been no results, including in the Lebak region,” he said on Wednesday, 24 September.

Staff of the Bengkulu SAR Office, Mega Maysilva, stated that after the discovery of the body on Enggano Island on 12 September 2026, the Bengkulu SAR team deployed rigid inflatable boats (RIB), rigid buoyant boats (RBB), and rubber boats to traverse several points in the Bengkulu waters. However, by the time the search deadline expired, Bengkulu SAR had found no signs regarding the whereabouts of the other seven victims.

Currently, after the DNA of the body was confirmed to be Surakman’s, Bengkulu SAR has returned to Enggano Island to conduct monitoring and mapping. Information has been disseminated to fishermen and local residents, including the TNI (Military) and Polri (Police), to immediately notify Bengkulu SAR if any objects suspected to belong to the Arupadhatu 1 vessel are seen or found.

Mega noted that this monitoring process is ongoing without a fixed timeframe. She stated that whenever there is a report regarding the discovery of debris or objects, or the discovery of another body, the SAR team will follow up with the necessary actions.