SAR Team States Fog Hindering Search for Missing Journalist in Sunda Strait

The joint SAR team has stated that foggy weather conditions, with visibility limited to approximately one nautical mile, have become a significant obstacle in the search for a journalist and speedboat crew who lost contact in the waters of the Sunda Strait, on Monday (7/9).

“The weather is foggy, with visibility of about one nautical mile,” said the Head of the Bakauheni SAR Post, Basarnas Lampung, Rezie Kuswara, in South Lampung, on Monday.

According to him, the SAR team continues to conduct sweeping and monitoring at several points deemed likely to be the location of the vessel or the victims until information regarding their whereabouts can be found.

He explained that the search operation continues to prioritise the safety of all personnel, particularly because it is taking place in an area still influenced by the volcanic activity of Mount Anak Krakutau.

As of the seventh day of the search operation for the journalist missing in the Sunda Strait waters, the team has yet to find any signs of the victims.

The SAR operation for the speedboat that lost contact in the Sunda Strait waters will continue to be coordinated, with further developments reported according to the search results.

For the record, the Joint SAR Team has extended the search operation for five journalists and three citizens who lost contact in the Sunda Strait waters for the next three days, following the search up to the seventh day.

The Head of the Banten SAR Office, Al Amrad, during a press conference in Pandeglang, Banten, on Monday, stated that the decision to extend the search was made based on the evaluation of the SAR operation on the seventh day and a meeting of the Joint SAR Team.

“The results of the evaluation of the SAR operation on the seventh day which we conducted are still nil, and as a result of the Joint SAR Team meeting, we will continue the search for the next three days,” he said.

With this extension, he added, the Joint SAR Team will resume the search for the eight citizens aboard the Arupadhatu 1 speedboat who lost contact in the waters around Mount Anak Krakatau.