Search Area for Missing Journalists in Sunda Strait Expanded, More Vessels Deployed

The joint SAR team is conducting a search operation for eight missing individuals near Mount Anak Krakatau in the Sunda Strait. Entering the tenth day, the search area has been expanded to 8,509 nautical miles squared, with 24 vessels deployed.

“For today, the search area—as our media colleagues can see—has been expanded to 8,509 nautical miles squared. For our primary equipment, we are using 24 units,” said Rizky Dwianto, Head of Operations at the Banten Basarnas Office, on Thursday (17/09/2026).

Basarnas Banten has divided the search area into ten sectors. They are also providing information to vessels passing through the Sunda Strait.

“We are conducting e-broadcasts to ships currently traversing the Sunda Strait waters, and we are constantly coordinating with the Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) and relevant stakeholders regarding the dissemination of information concerning this SAR operation,” he added.

The search is being conducted not only at sea but also along the coastline.

“Land sweeps are still being carried out from Carita to Anyer Beach,” he stated.

Basarnas has received weather updates from BMKG, indicating cloudy conditions today with wind speeds of 10 to 20 knots and wave heights ranging from 0.5 to 3.5 metres.

Furthermore, PVMBG has provided information regarding the condition of Mount Anak Krakatau to Basarnas, noting that no eruptions have occurred as of this morning.

“For visual observations, the mountain is covered in fog, and no eruptions were observed. Regarding seismic observations, shallow volcanic activity is still occurring,” the report stated.