Journalists Hold Joint Prayer for Five Photojournalists Missing in Sunda Strait
A number of journalists in Jakarta, Bandung, and Surabaya held a joint prayer session to pray for five journalists and three crew members who lost contact while covering the activity of Mount Anak Krakatau in the waters of the Sunda Strait.
Pewarta Foto Indonesia (PFI) Jakarta held a prayer session for the five journalists and three crew members at the Balai Pewarta Foto, in the Bundaran HI area, Central Jakarta, on Friday (11/9). The event, attended by hundreds of journalists in Jakarta and its surrounding areas, aimed to pray for the search team to find the eight missing individuals as soon as possible and in safety. The joint prayer was held simultaneously by all PFI branches across Indonesia.
The Chairman of PFI, Dwi Pambudo, expressed hope that the search team, consisting of joint SAR (Search and Rescue) personnel, would find a breakthrough. “We hope that all efforts made by the search team, as well as the prayers from everyone, will result in the best news,” said Duju Pambudo during the event on Friday (11/9) night.
Meanwhile, the Secretary General of PFI Jakarta, Eusebio Chrysnamurti, added that this prayer session involved journalists and the wider community as a form of solidarity and to provide support for the best possible outcome in the search process for these ‘information heroes’. “We are very grateful to all those who have attended and offered their prayers. We hope that through these prayers, the search team will find ease, safety, and locate our five colleagues along with the three crew members accompanying them,” said Eusebio.
Prayers from Bandung
Tens of journalists in Bandung also held a solidarity action and joint prayer for the five journalists who lost contact in the Sunda Strait waters while performing coverage duties of the Mount Anak Krakatau eruption. The activity, held at the Indonesia Menggugat (GIM) Building, Bandung City, on Friday night (11/9), was initiated by journalists covering the Greater Bandung area.
One reporter, Raisan Al Farisi, stated that this action was a form of solidarity among the press and a collective effort to pray for the safety of the five journalists and three crew members who have not been found as of the fourth day of the search. “Tonight’s action involves PFI working with IJTI West Java and AJI Bandung to hold a joint prayer and light candles as a form of solidarity,” said Raisan.
According to Raisan, the prayer session served as a momentum for the press to collectively pray so that all journalists and crew members who have not been found would soon receive help and return safely. “Our hope is that PFI, IJTI, and AJI will see the search efforts today and tomorrow bear fruit. We in Bandung pray for them to be found soon and safe,” he said.
Joint Prayer in Surabaya
Elsewhere, a similar event was held at Taman Apsari, Surabaya, on Friday (11/9) evening. Observers noted dozens of journalists sitting cross-legged in a circle. One journalist carried a photograph of the five journalists currently being searched for, which was placed on their lap throughout the prayer session.
The Chairman of Pewarta Foto Indonesia (PFI) Surabaya, Suryanto Betha Putramudji, stated that this activity was an expression of concern for their colleagues still in the process of being searched for. “Our hope is that the five journalists and three crew members can be found safely. That is our hope,” said Suryanto.
Suryanto explained that the candles lit during the prayer served as a symbol of hope that all missing victims would be found safely. “The candle symbol represents our hope that our five and three colleagues can be found immediately. It is truly a candle of hope,” he said.
Suryanto added that they are still awaiting updates from the families and the National PFI, while continuing to hope that all victims are found in good condition.
A speedboat carrying five journalists intending to cover the activity of Mount Anak Krakatau was reported to have lost contact in the Sunda Strait waters, Pandeglang Regency, Banten, on Tuesday (8/9).
The Head of the Banten Search and Rescue Office, acting as SAR Mission Coordinator, Al Amrad, stated that eight people were on board the speedboat, consisting of two crew members, one guide, and five journalists. The crew members include Warta (55) as captain, Surakman (60) as crew, and Heriyanto (49) as guide. The five journalists on board are photojournalists M Bagus Khoirunnas (LKBN ANTARA), Ari Basuki (Merdeka), Yudis (iNews), Daus (Anadolu), and Donal (freelance).
To date, the search process for the eight individuals continues, and the search area has been expanded. The expansion covers four main sectors and one special sector, totaling approximately 3,243 nautical miles (NM).