Prabowo Orders Navy to Optimise Search for Missing Journalists in Anak Krakatau Waters
President Prabowo Subiability has ordered the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) to optimise the search for a speedboat that lost contact in the waters of the Sunda Strait. The order was issued by President Prabowo after a group carrying five journalists and three crew members was reported missing since Monday (7/9) while covering Mount Anak Krakatau.
The President’s instruction was delivered directly to the Chief of Staff of the Navy (KSAL) after receiving a direct report regarding the disappearance of the group. The Cabinet Secretariat of the Republic of Indonesia, via its official Instagram account, @sekretariat.kabinet, stated on Thursday (10/9) that President Prabowo had requested the Navy to act swiftly from the outset.
“Since the group of five journalists and three crew members was reported to have lost contact on Monday night, President Prabowo immediately instructed the KSAL to conduct an urgent search; on that same day, the Navy immediately dispatched its vessels,” the Cabinet Secretariat stated on Thursday (10/9).
On Thursday (10/9/2026), the Navy deployed its strength alongside other Search and Rescue (SAR) elements. According to reports from the KSAL, 11 joint vessels have been deployed to sweep the waters where the group was last known to be located.
The eleven vessels include KRI Leuser-924, KRI Kerambit-627, KRI Lepu-861, KAL Anyer I-3-64, KAL Pohawang I-3-30, RBB Peucang Lanal Banten, RHIB SAR 02 Banten, RHIB SAR 02 Lampung, KN SAR Tetuka-247, KN SAR Basudewa-224, and KP Sanjaya-7017.
The Cabinet Secretariat stated that the search is ongoing with the hope that all members of the group can be found promptly. “Our prayers are with the safety of the entire group. May they be found safe and sound,” wrote the Cabinet Secretariat.
According to reports from SAR Banten, the speedboat carrying the group departed from Pagedongan Pier, Carita, on Monday (7/9) at approximately 14:00 WIB. The speedboat carried eight people, consisting of five journalists, a ship captain, crew members, and a guide.
The group was heading towards the waters of Mount Anak Krakatau to report on the volcano’s activity.
The journey initially proceeded with communication being monitored. At 14:42 WIB, the group was known to have sent a location share to fellow journalists in Lampung. However, approximately 22 minutes later, communication with the group was severed. At exactly 15:04 WIB, no further communication could be established. The last known location was at coordinates 6°14’40.52”S 105°40’49.48”T.
Since the report of the loss of contact was received, a joint SAR team has been operating in the Sunda Strait waters. The search efforts have since been bolstered by the deployment of several vessels from the Navy, Basarnas (National Search and Rescue Agency), and the Marine Police (Polairud). The search continues in an effort to find all members of the group, with the hope that they will be found safe.