Ministry of Communication and Digital Involves Mobile Operators in SAR Operation

The Ministry of Communication and Disital (Komdigi) is coordinating with several mobile operators to assist in monitoring mobile phone signals during the search for eight individuals who have lost contact in the waters of the Sunda Strait, Banten.

“We have coordinated with three mobile operators to detect existing Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) around the Sunda Strait, covering both the Banten and Lampung regions,” stated the Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital, Nezar Patria, during a press conference at the SAR Post, Marina Beach Pier, Pandeglang, Banten, on Saturday.

He added that monitoring is also being conducted through the Radio Frequency Spectrum Monitoring Office to identify any signals captured within the primary search area.

Nezar noted that Sebesi Island was the last point of contact detected from telecommunications data received by Komdigi. This information has been relayed to the Joint SAR Team and serves as a vital piece of data in the search process.

“The last contact was at Sebesi Island; a transmitted signal was detected on that island and has been communicated to the SAR Team. That data is crucial,” he said.

Nezar stated that on the fifth day of the search operation, the Joint SAR Team has expanded the search cluster for the eight people aboard the vessel that lost contact in the Sunda Strait waters.

“We continue to monitor and search, praying that the search process is strengthened and that the eight individuals are found soon,” he added.

He further noted that aerial searches are ongoing despite weather constraints. The deployed helicopter encountered fog, which reduced visibility to approximately 1.5 kilometres.

“The helicopter has flown, but there is fog resulting in low visibility. Nevertheless, the search continues at points suspected to have been visited or passed by the vessel being sought,” Nezar said.

During the briefing, Nezar urged the public to rely on official information from the SAR Team regarding the progress of the search operation.

“It is best that the information received is official information from the SAR team,” he said.

The disappearance of five journalists and three crew members began when the group departed via speedboat from Pagedongan Pier, Carita, Pandeglang Regency, on Monday (7/9) at approximately 14:00 WIB. They were heading towards the Mount Anak Krakatau area to cover volcanic activity in the region.

The eight individuals still being searched for include five photojournalists—Muhammad Bagus Khoirunas (ANTARA), Arie Basuki (merdeka.com), Donal Husni (freelance photographer), Yudhistira (iNews), and Daus (Anadolu)—along with the captain, a crew member, and a guide.