Reasons Why SAR Teams Are Unable to Enter Sertung Island to Search for Five Missing Journalists
The SAR team, working alongside local fishermen, has been patrolling the islands around Mount Anak Krakatau to search for five journalists who went missing while covering the eruption on Sertung Island. However, the search team has been unable to enter Sertung Island directly as the area remains a high-risk zone.
According to the Head of the Banten SAR Office, Al Amrad, Sertung Island is considered dangerous to visit because it falls within a 3-kilometre radius of Mount Anak Krakatau. He noted that data from the PVMBG indicates the area is still hazardous, but the team is working with data from BMKG and BNPB to determine the necessary precautions to facilitate entry and ensure a thorough search.
Amrad mentioned that Basarnas has expanded the search using drones from the National Search and Rescue Ship (KN SAR) Tetuka at Sangiang Island, but results have been limited due to thick volcanic haze. Field reports indicate that the drone operations have been ineffective because the smoke density is too high.
Amrad emphasised that Basarnas continues to rely on real-time updates from BMKG and PVMBG regarding weather developments and field conditions to ensure the safety of the search process. These agencies provide hourly updates, and any urgent developments are communicated immediately to the rescue teams.
The five journalists who lost contact while covering the eruption are Muhammad Bagus Khoirunas from Antara, Arie Basuki from merdeka.com, Donal Husni (freelance photographer), Yudhistira from iNews, and Daus from Anadolu. The group of photojournalists has been out of contact since Monday (7/9) while travelling through the Sunda Strait waters.
Families of the journalists have gathered at the command post in Carita Beach, Pandeglang, Banten, awaiting news regarding the whereabouts of the victims. Among them is Desi Purnama, the wife of Antara journalist M. Bagus Khoirunnas, who has been at the National SAR Post for three days, praying for her husband’s safe return.
During a visit to the shoreline on Thursday (10/9) morning, Desi became visibly distressed while looking out towards the sea and the Krakatau volcano. She has pleaded with SAR officials to focus the search efforts specifically on the area around Sertung Island near Mount Anak Krakatau.