Journalists Hold Joint Prayer for Missing Journalists in Sunda Strait
The news of several journalists missing in the waters of the Sunda Strait while performing duties to cover the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau has sparked deep concern among the press community. As search operations continue, journalists in Banten have gathered to offer prayers for the safety of their colleagues.
The joint prayer was organised as a form of solidarity and moral support for the journalists whose whereabouts remain unknown. They were previously travelling in a speedboat to report on the volcanic activity of Mount Anaklag Krakatau in the waters of the Pandeglang Regency since Monday (7/9).
The Director of News at LKBN ANTARA, Virgandhi Prayudantoro, stated that the activity arose from the shared concern of media workers. He noted that prayer serves as a form of support while joint SAR (Search and Rescue) teams continue their search efforts.
“We are gathering to pray and hope for the best. The large ANTARA family, along with other media colleagues, remains optimistic that our friends can be found again in good health,” he said.
Journalists are supporting one another amidst the ongoing search. The situation has drawn the attention of the press community not only to the progress of the search but also to the condition of the families awaiting news. The presence of fellow journalists on the ground serves as a form of support so that the families do not feel they are facing this situation alone.
Virgandhi emphasised that communication with various parties is ongoing to support the search process. Coordination involves Basarnas (National Search and Rescue Agency), the TNI (Indonesian National Armed Forces), the Polri (Indonesian National Police), and local governments in Banten and Pandeglang.
“We are still working with the existing stakeholders, including the police, Basarnas, the TNI, and others, up to the regional leadership coordination forum (forkopimda) in Banten, Pandeglang, and the surrounding areas,” he said.
He added that LKBN ANTARA continues to communicate with the Banten Regional Police, Basarnas, the TNI, and the Forkopimda ranks to help optimise the search.
“The regional police have stated that they, along with relevant agencies, are ready to conduct the search as extensively as possible, even extending the search period for the next seven days if necessary,” he noted.
Several leaders from LKBN ANTARA were present at the location to provide support to the victims’ families and to demonstrate the strength of inter-media solidarity. Similar support has also been shown by various other media outlets, including Merdeka and iNews.