SAR Operation for Journalists Lost Contact in Sunda Strait Extended
The SAR operation to search for five journalists and three crew members of the Arupadhatu 1 vessel, which lost contact in the Sunda Strait near Mount Anak Krakatau (GAK), has officially been extended for the next three days, until Thursday (17/9).
“Based on the results of the coordination meeting presented by the Governor, we will continue the search for the next three days,” said the Head of Basarnas Banten, Al Amrad, on Monday (14/9).
The extension of the joint SAR operation to search for the five journalists and three media crew members who lost contact near Mount Anak Krakatau was decided following an evaluation meeting. This three-day extension is expected to yield maximum results in locating the victims.
“We have reviewed the period from the first day up to the seventh day, evaluating our challenges and identifying areas that have not yet been covered,” he explained.
Al Amrad stated that the search operation over the next three days will continue to utilise existing resources, including both personnel and equipment. However, their deployment will depend on weather conditions. For instance, helicopter searches must account for wind conditions and volcanic dust from Mount Anak Krakatau.
“We will continue to use ship-based methods as well as aerial monitoring. All of this will depend on the prevailing weather conditions,” he clarified.
Previously, it was reported that Basarnas evaluated the search vessel operation after seven days of searching this Monday. The decision to either extend or terminate the operation will be based on the results of the seventh-day evaluation, according to the Head of the Operations and Alertness Sub-Section of Basermas Banten, Rizky Dwianto.
Meanwhile, Rangga Aribowo, a Junior Expert in Maritime and Aviation Accidents at Basarnas, explained that several factors are being considered for the extension of the SAR operation. According to him, the operation may be extended if signs of the victims’ presence, their belongings, or witness reports of debris suspected to be from the accident are found.
He added that if the evaluation fails to find new indications regarding the victims or items related to the accident, the SAR operation may be declared complete. However, Rangga noted that the cessation of the active SAR operation does not mean the search for the victims has ended entirely. In such a case, the status may shift to ‘alert’, allowing the operation to be reopened if new evidence or reports from the public emerge.
Previously, the eight individuals currently being sought departed via a fast boat from Pegedongan Pier, Carita, Pandeglang Regency, on Monday (7/9) at approximately 14:00 WIB, heading towards the Mount Anak Krakatau area. Five of them 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 (captain), Surakman (crew member), and Heriyanto (guide).