Puan Maharani Urges Maximum Search Efforts for Five Missing Journalists in Sunda Strait
The Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR RI), Puan Maharani, has expressed profound empathy to the families of five journalists, a guide, and crew members who have been reported missing while covering the volcanic activity of Mount Anak Krakatau in the waters of the Sunda Strait. Puan urged that the search operation for all members of the group, who have been out of contact since Monday (7/9/2026), be maximised by deploying all available resources.
“We share the families’ concerns regarding this tragedy. The search for our journalist colleagues and all members of the group in the Sunda Strait waters must be maximised,” Puan stated in a written release on Thursday (1or/9/2026).
The missing group consists of five photojournalists: M. Bagus Khoirunnas (Antara), Ari Basuki (Merdeka.com), Yudistiro Pranoto (iNews.id), Firman Daus (Anadolu Agency), and Donal Husni (freelance). They were accompanied by one guide and two crew members during their assignment in the area.
Puan expressed her full support for President Prabowo Subianto’s instructions to the Chief of Staff of the Navy, Admiral TNI Muhammad Ali, to deploy naval fleets and personnel. The involvement of the Indonesian Navy is expected to strengthen the joint Search and Rescue (SAR) team currently working on the ground.
In addition to focusing search efforts around the crater of Mount Anak Krakatau, Puan emphasised the importance of psychological support and transparency of information for the families of the victims. “It is vital that the families receive support from the government, including guarantees of regular information updates and assistance for their psychological needs,” Puan asserted.
Currently, the joint SAR team, comprising Basarnas, the Navy, and the National Police, continues to sweep the Sunda Strait waters. Basarnas has confirmed that the search and rescue process for the group will be optimised over a seven-day period, deploying 11 ships and 300 personnel to locate the five journalists and three others lost during the coverage of the eruption.