Indonesian Navy awaits Basarnas identification of life jacket found during journalist search operation
Pandeglang (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Navy (AL) is awaiting identification from Basarnas regarding the discovery of a life jacket during the search for five journalists and three crew members who went missing in the Sunda Strait waters while covering the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau.
“At the position of 6 degrees, 4 minutes 40 seconds south latitude and 105 degrees, 45 minutes 17 seconds east longitude, at approximately 15:10 WIB, the Navy Ship (KAL) Anyer spotted an object suspected to be a swim vest or life jacket (orange in colour). Upon approaching, the object was retrieved, and a white bottle-shaped float was also found near it,” said the Commander of Lanal Bounten, Lieutenant Colonel (P) Wawan Subagyo Mardani, at the SAR Post at Marina Carita Pier, Pandeglang, Banten, on Thursday.
Wawan emphasised that the found life jacket is currently being transported to the Joint SAR Post for further identification processes.
However, Wawan requested that the public refrain from speculating about the discovery and wait for the official identification results from Basarnas regarding the ownership of the life jacket.
“Whether the identification results are correct or not, let us be patient and wait for the results. Therefore, no one should speculate or make statements before the official identification results of the findings are obtained,” he stated.
To match the evidence found, Lanal Banten also plans to conduct confirmations and compare the characteristics of the found items with the boat renters to ensure original ownership.
The Head of the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), Air Marshal Mohammad Syafii, stated that the results of the aerial search operations for the journalists who lost contact in the Sunda Strait waters on Thursday have not yet yielded any findings.
“Personally, from the aircraft, I have not seen anything yet. However, today’s operational results will be based on reports from the six sectors in the field, which will then be reported to the joint command post,” he said.
Based on direct aerial monitoring using aviation facilities, Basarnas admitted they have not yet seen direct signs of the victims’ presence on the land of islands surrounding Mount Anak Krakatau.
Nevertheless, the SAR team will continue intensive searches for the next seven days in accordance with international standard guidelines (IAMSAR Guidelines).
“We ensure that the search process in the field is still ongoing and has not been stopped. This operation involves strict cross-sectoral coordination with relevant agencies, such as the Centre for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation (PVMBG) and the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG),” he added.