SAR Operation for 5 Missing Journalists in Sunda Strait Extended by 3 Days
The Joint SAR Team has officially extended the search operation for five journalists and three citizens who have lost contact in the waters of the Sunda Strait. This decision was made to extend the search period for the next three days after efforts up to the seventh day yielded no results.
The Head of the Banten SAR Office, Al Amrad, explained that the decision to extend the operation was based on a thorough evaluation of the SAR operations conducted over the past week, as well as the results of a coordination meeting by the Joint SAR Team.
“The evaluation of the SAR operation on the seventh day we conducted still resulted in nothing. Based on the results of the Joint SAR Team meeting, we will continue the search for the next three days,” Al Amrad stated during a press conference in Pandeglang, Banten, on Monday (14/9).
The focus of the search during this extension period remains on the eight individuals aboard the speed boat Arupadhatu 1. The vessel was previously reported to have lost contact in the waters around Mount Anak Krakatau.
On the same occasion, the Governor of Banten, Andra Soni, stated that the extension of the SAR operation has a strong legal basis in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. He explained that, according to standard procedure, the standard search period is seven days. However, this duration can be increased based on special considerations, including requests from the victims’ families or the local government.
“The search period is set at seven days, but it can be extended for several reasons, one of which is requests from families and also requests from the local government,” said Andra Soni.
The Banten Provincial Government has officially requested Basarnas to continue this operation with full support from various stakeholders. Andra Soni also instructed the Banten Regional Police, the Banten Naval Base, and other relevant agencies in the Banten region to synergise and optimise the search during this extension period.
“We will maximise our efforts and strive to find our brothers and sisters,” he concluded.
Searches in the Sunda Strait waters were previously reported to be hindered by weather factors, including thick fog that limits visibility, as well as volcanic activity around the Mount Anak Krakatau area.
The Joint SAR Team has expanded the search area for the five journalists and three citizens lost in the Sunda Strait towards the Indian Ocean, following the shift in ocean currents.
The Joint SAR Team has also discovered life jackets and tarpaulins while searching for the eight individuals, including the five journalists, in the waters of Mount Anak Krakatau, Sunda Strait. The HPI Pandeglang has deployed speed boats to assist Basarnas in scouring islands around Mount Anak Krakatau to search for the eight missing persons.