SAR Team Expands Search Area for Five Missing Journalists, 11 Vessels Deployed
The joint SAR team has expanded the search area for five journalists and three ship crew members who went missing while covering the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau in the waters of the Sunda Strait. A total of 11 vessels have been deployed for the search operation.
“To optimise the search for the eight individuals still missing, the joint SAR team, on the fourth day of the operation (H+4), has divided the search area into four main sectors and one special sector, covering a total area of approximately 3,243.7 square nautical miles,” said the Head of the Banten Search and Rescue Office, Al Amrad, to reporters on Friday (11/09/2026).
The search in the special sector involves the RIB 02 Banten and KN SAR Tetuka 247, focusing on high-priority areas.
Search efforts in Sector A involve KRI Kerambit, KP Sanjaya, and KAL Pahawang, covering the western waters of the Sunda Strait with an area of 1,026 NM. Sector B involves KRI Leuser and KAL Anyer in the western waters of the Sunda Strait, covering 1,020 NM.
Meanwhile, Sector C involves KN SAR Basudewa and RIB Lampung, covering the waters from the western to the south-western parts of the Sundered Strait, spanning 585 NM. Sector D involves KP Hayabusa and RBB Pulau Peucang, covering the south-western part of the Sunda Strait with an area of 585 NM.
“The division of sectors was implemented to ensure that the sweeping process can proceed systematically, in a coordinated manner, and cover a wider area based on the results of previous search evaluations,” he said.
The SAR team will attempt to sweep the islands around Mount Anak Krakatau, including Sertung Island. To date, Sertung Island has not been searched by the SAR team as it falls within a high-risk zone within a 3-kilometre radius of Mount Anak Krakatau.
“The sweeping will be conducted along the coasts of Krakatau, Pulau Panjang, and also Sertung Island,” Amrad stated.
Amrad noted that according to BMKG reports, the weather in the Sunda Strait waters is currently partly cloudy. These conditions could facilitate the SAR team’s search efforts.
“Based on the BMKG data we have received, the weather is partly cloudy. We hope it remains so until the afternoon, as any changes would significantly impact visibility,” he added.
As previously reported, the five journalists who lost contact while covering the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau are Muhammad Bagus Khoirunas from Antara, Arie Basuki from merdeka.com, Donal Husni (freelance photographer), Yudhistira from iNews, and Daus from Anadolu.
The five reporters have been out of contact since Monday (07/09) while travelling towards the waters of the Sunda Strait.