SAR Operation for Journalists Extends to the Indian Ocean

The Joint SAR Team is conducting a search operation for five journalists and three individuals who have lost contact in the waters of the Sunda Strait, extending the search area into the Indian Ocean due to shifting sea currents.

“On the sixth and seventh days, we have actually entered the Indian Ocean, based on our observations of current shifts. This condition is being considered by the team in determining the next search area,” said the Head of the Banten SAR Office, Al Amrad, in Pandeglang, Banten, on Monday.

For the upcoming search days, he added, the search area will be determined based on the evaluation of the seven-day operation as well as observations of current movements and sea condition data.

Amrad stated that the search continues using boats and aerial monitoring. However, the implementation of both methods is being adjusted according to the prevailing weather conditions on the ground.

He explained that weather has been one of the primary challenges during the search process. During the first and second days, the operation was hindered by unstable conditions near Mount Anak Krakatau. Subsequently, from the third to the sixth day, the team faced difficulties caused by heavy fog.

Amrad also noted that diving methods cannot yet be utilised because the exact location of the victims or the speedboat used has not been confirmed.

“Regarding the diving method, since we have not found the victims’ location, we cannot confirm diving operations yet. However, our team remains prepared for when that becomes possible,” he said.

Previously, the eight individuals being sought departed via speedboat from the Pegedongan Pier, Carita, Pandeglang Regency, on Monday (7/9) at approximately 14:00 WIB, heading towards the Mount Anak Krakatau area.

Five of the missing individuals are journalists: M. Bagus Khoirunnas from ANTARA, Ari Basuki from Merdeka, Yudhistiro Pranoto from iNews, Firman Daus from Anadolu, and Donal Husni, a freelance journalist. The other three include Warta, the captain; Surakman, a crew member; and Heriyanto, a guide.

The Joint SAR Team continues the search for the eight individuals and is evaluating every finding that could potentially provide clues regarding their whereabouts.