Police: Body Found in Kali Terate, Serang Not From Missing Journalists' Group
Police have confirmed that a body found near the mouth of the Kali Terate river in Kramatwatu, Serang, Banten, is not linked to the incident involving a group of journalists who went missing in the waters of the Sunda Strait.
The body was first discovered by local residents on Saturday (12/9), and the finding was subsequently reported to the police.
Head of Public Relations at Banten Regional Police, Senior Commissioner Maruli Ahiles Hutapea, said the confirmation was based on examination results and primary data matching.
“Regarding the body found near the mouth of the Kali Terate river in Kramatwatu, based on the primary data we obtained and the examination results, it has been confirmed not to be one of those who lost contact from the Arupadatu speedboat,” he said in a statement on Tuesday (15/9).
Meanwhile, regarding a body found on Enggano Island in Bengkulu province, Banten Regional Police are still awaiting examination results and DNA matching.
Maruli said the body had been evacuated from Enggano Island by aircraft to Bengkulu Regional Police headquarters, where an autopsy was carried out on Monday (14/9).
“The body found on Enggano Island, Bengkulu province, has been evacuated to Bengkulu Regional Police and an autopsy was performed today. We are still awaiting the results of DNA matching with family samples from those who lost contact,” he said.
Based on coordination with Bengkulu Regional Police, the body found on Enggano Island is that of a male, approximately 165 centimetres tall, and estimated to be over 50 years of age.
“The face is damaged. To confirm the identity, we are still awaiting DNA examination results,” he said.
Furthermore, Banten Regional Police urged the public to be patient while awaiting official examination results and not to spread unconfirmed information.
“We ask for time to wait for the examination and DNA matching results from Bengkulu Regional Police. Once the results are out, we will of course announce them officially to the public and members of the media,” he said.
The disappearance of the five journalists and three crew members began when the group of journalists departed by speedboat from Pagedongan Pier in Carita, Pandeglang Regency, on Monday (7/9) at around 14.00 Western Indonesia Time. They were heading to the Mount Anak Krakatau area to cover volcanic activity in the region.
The eight people still being sought comprise five photojournalists: Muhammad Bagus Khoirunas (ANTARA), Arie Basuki (merdeka.com), Donal Husni (freelance photographer), Yudhistira (iNews), and Daus (Anadolu).
In addition to the five journalists, three others were aboard the vessel: the skipper, a crew member, and a guide. They are Warta (55), the ship’s captain; Surakman (60), the crew member; and Heriyanto (49), the guide.
The search and rescue operation for the five journalists and three crew members has been officially extended for a further three days, until Thursday (17/9).
The decision was taken on Monday, as the search operation entered its seventh day. The three-day extension is expected to yield maximum results in locating the victims.
“Following the coordination meeting conveyed by the Governor, we will continue the search for the next three days,” said Head of Banten Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), Al Amrad, on Monday.