SAR Team Deploys Drones to Search for Missing Journalists in Sunda Strait
The search efforts for eight individuals who lost contact, consisting of five journalists, a ship captain, a crew member, and a guide while covering activities at Mount Anak Krakatau, are being intensified. The Banten joint SAR team is relying on aerial monitoring technology to expand the visual range across the waters of the Sunda Strait.
Basarnas SAR Mission Coordinator (SMC), Al Amrad, explained the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) in the sweeping operation during an interview at the Marina Carita Beach SAR Post, Pandeglang, Banten, on Thursday. He noted that while drones are deployed on one of the vessels, the team must remain vigilant regarding changing wind conditions in the field.
The incident began when the group lost contact on Monday (7/9). The missing persons include five journalists: M. Bagus Khoirunnas (ANTARA News Agency), Ari Basuki (Merdeka.com), Yudhistiro (iNews), Firdaus (Anadolu), and Donal (freelance journalist). The others include Warta, the ship captain; Surakman, a crew member; and Heriyantoo, a guide.
Facing a vast maritime area, the joint team has implemented integrated operational mapping ranging from Banten to Lampung. The operation involves various sectors, including units from Ciwandan Port, KN SAR Basudewa, the Lampung SAR Office, and KRI Beserta and Lepu moving from the Lampung region.
Today’s operation targets a monitoring coverage of up to 2,109 nautical miles squared. The primary maritime fleet deployed for crucial points includes KRI Lepu, KN SAR Tetuka, KN SAR Basudewa, KAL Pohawang, KP Sanjaya, and Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) 02 Banten.
In addition to utilising fast boats and primary naval assets at sea, land-based searches and shallow area sweeps are being conducted in collaboration with local communities. In sector E, team members are assisting local fishermen in searching along the coasts of Banten.
Despite the expanded search, efforts to locate the group in the Sunda Strait waters, Pandeglang Regency, Banten, have yet to yield results. Sandi Wiasa, the owner of the vessel used by the journalists, confirmed that the fleet was seaworthy and equipped with safety gear.
Banten Regional Police (Polda Banten) has officially established an antemortem post through the Medical and Health Division (Dokkes). Meanwhile, members of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), including Mahfudz Abdurrahman and Junico Siahaan, have called for the maximum deployment of resources from Basarnas, the TNI, and the Polri, highlighting the significant risks faced by the press when covering volcanic activity.