Police Expand Search for Missing Journalists in Sunda Strait to Lampung Waters
Lampung Regional Police have expanded search efforts for five journalists and three crew members who were reported to have lost contact while sailing from Carita Beach, Pandeglant Regency, Banten, towards the Gunung Anak Krakatau (GAK) area in the Sunda Strait.
“The search area will be expanded to include several waters within the jurisdiction of the Lampung Regional Police,” said the Head of Public Relations for the Lampung Regional Police, Kombes Pol Yuni Iswandari, confirmed from Bandar Lampung on Thursday (10/09/2026).
She stated that this step was taken as a precaution in case the victims were carried by currents into Lampung’s waters. “We are anticipating the possibility that the victims may have been carried towards Lampung waters. Hopefully, through these efforts, there will be a breakthrough and information regarding the whereabouts of our colleagues,” she said.
The Lampung Regional Police emphasised that they will continue to assist the search process alongside police units and SAR teams to find clarity regarding the whereabouts of the five journalists and three crew members.
Following the report of the vessel losing contact in Banten waters, the Lampung Regional Police and joint SAR teams have deployed to patrol areas within their jurisdiction, including the waters around Sebesi Island and various Lampung maritime zones.
“Yesterday (09/09), we deployed two teams. The first team consisted of Marine Police personnel, DKO Mabes personnel, and Basarnas. The second team consisted of six Marine Police members and five Brimob members who scanned the Lampung waters, but no breakthrough has been found regarding their whereabouts,” said Yuni Iswandari.
She added that the Lampung Regional Police plan to conduct further sweeps using boats. Additionally, aerial searches via helicopter are being prepared, provided that weather conditions permit.
According to initial information, the group departed from Pagedongan Pier, Carita, Pandeglang, on Monday (07/09/2026) at approximately 14:00 WIB. One journalist managed to send a last known location at approximately 14:42 WIB, but communication with the group was lost around 15:04 WIB.
Since then, their whereabouts remain unknown. The SAR team has been conducting searches based on the last known communication points and locations. The five identified journalists are M. Bagus Khoirunnas from Antara, Ari Basuki from Merdeka, Yudhis from iNews, Daus from Anadolu, and Donal, a freelance journalist. In addition to the five journalists, three crew members were also on board the speedboat.