Latest Facts on Search for Five Missing Journalists in Sunda Strait Waters, Warships Deployed

The search for five journalists who lost contact while reporting on the activities of Mount Anak Krakatau entered a new phase on Thursday, 10 September 2026. The joint SAR team has expanded the operational area after previous sweeps over the last two days failed to locate the group.

Not only has the search area been enlarged, but the fleet strength has also increased. The search now involves several Indonesian Navy warships and extends into the waters of Lampung as a precautionary measure in case the group was carried away by currents.

Here are the latest facts regarding the search for the five missing journalists in the Sunda Strait, as compiled on Thursday, 10 September 2026:

1. Search expanded to the northern side of Anak Krakatau

One of the most recent developments is the change in the search sector. After the southern region of Mount Anak Krakatau was swept up to a radius of approximately 20 nautical miles (about 37 kilometres), the joint SAR team began expanding operations to the northern side.

This change in sector was implemented based on calculations of sea currents, wave shifts, and wind direction. Given these conditions, the team is no longer concentrating solely on the southern sector of the Mount Anak Un Krakatau area.

2. Three Indonesian Navy warships deployed

Search capabilities have been bolstered by the involvement of three Indonesian Navy warships: KRI Leuser-924, KRI Kerambit-627, and KRI Lepu-861. The deployment of these warships aims to strengthen the operation and assist in widening the sweep across the Sunda Strait waters.

In addition to these three vessels, other Indonesian Navy elements are also supporting the search, including KAL Anyer I.3-64, RHIB Peucang from Lanal Banten, and KAL Siaga from Lanal Lampung.

3. Sweeping has reached dozens of nautical miles he search has been conducted across a very vast area. On the second day of the operation, KN SAR Tetuka was reported to have swept up to 68.3 nautical miles, while KAL Anyer covered up to 69.5 nautical miles. Other vessels are scouring various areas deemed likely to be related to the group’s movement.

The area includes Sebesi Island, Sebuku Island, Rakata, Pulau Panjang, and the Mount Anak Krakatau region. Despite the sweeping being conducted over significant distances, no signs of the group have been found as of the second day of the search.