KP Sanjaya focuses search for missing journalists near Mount Krakatoa area
The Police Ship (KP) Sanjaya is focusing its search for a journalist and three crew members who went missing while covering the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau by conducting direct monitoring of the islands around the Mount Krakatoa area.
“We are monitoring the Great Krakatoa and Small Krakatoa areas directly, a journey of approximately eight hours using patrol vessel operations, focusing on the locations where the last mobile phone or radio signals from the missing colleagues’ communication devices were received,” said Banten Regional Police Chief, Inspector General Hengki, while personally participating in the search near Mount Krakatoa, Banten, on Saturday.
Weather monitoring on the islands surrounding Mount Anak Krakatau, including Sertung Island, shows the area remains covered by clouds. However, the Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) has maintained the alert status of Mount Anak Krakatau at Level III, with a 3 km exclusion zone in place.
“We travelled to Sertung Island from Ciwandan Port, a total journey of 81 miles taking 8 hours. We are monitoring the general situation and observing the sea for any objects or ship debris,” he added.
As the SAR operation enters its fifth day, the Joint SAR Team has expanded its search area via sea and air routes for the group of journalists who lost contact in the waters of the Sunda Strait, Carita District, Pandeglang Regency, Banten.
“Entering the fifth day, we have expanded the search area by dividing the region into several sectors, both by sea and air. All involved SAR elements are being optimised to sweep the designated areas,” said the Head of the Banten Search and Rescue Office, Al Amrad, in Pandeglang, on Saturday.
He stated that there are six maritime search sectors—Sectors T, U, Z, W, X, and Y—covering a total area of approximately 2,537 square nautical miles. Meanwhile, the aerial search through Sector H covers an area of approximately 2,063 square nautical miles.
He emphasised that the safety of personnel remains the primary concern during the operation, given the dynamic conditions of the Sunda Strait waters.