Search Continues for Five Missing Journalists Near Anak Krakatau on Fourth Day
The joint Search and Rescue (SAR) team is continuing the search for five journalists and three ship crew members lost around Mount Anak Krakatau, Sunda Strait, on the fourth day. Today, the SAR team has deployed six vessels, similar to yesterday’s deployment, to conduct the search.
“The addition of equipment is actually the same as yesterday. As you can see in the data, the total personnel involved exceeds 300, including those stationed at the command post,” said the Head of the Banten Search and Rescue Office, Al Amrad, at the Joint SAR Post in Carita, Pandeglang, on Thursday (10/09/2026).
He stated that the SAR team is still relying on data from the BMKG (Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency). He emphasised that all possible efforts will be undertaken during the search process.
“We are conducting searches across all sectors based on the BMOG data we have received. The current weather is partly cloudy, and we hope it remains so until the afternoon. Any changes in weather could significantly impact visibility,” he added.
Regarding the use of helicopters, Amrad mentioned that they are still monitoring the conditions around Mount Anak Krakatau. He noted that yesterday’s weather was not conducive to aerial searches.
“We have coordinated regarding the helicopter. Yesterday, a search was attempted up to the Carita coastal area at altitudes of approximately 15,000 to 25,000 feet, but no signs were found. For today, we are observing the current weather conditions,” he said.
Previously, on Thursday (10/09), the joint SAR team had not yet located the missing victims. Officers had only discovered life jackets and floating bottles in the vicinity of Anyer.
“From all our findings, we have found life jackets and floating bottles, but the rest of the six sectors remain empty,” said Al Amrad at the Joint SAR Post.
Al Amrad could not yet confirm whether the discovered life jackets originated from the vessel carrying the journalists. His office will first conduct an identification process.
Ship Owner Responds to Discovery of Life Jackets
The owner of the Arupadhatu 1 vessel, which was carrying the group of journalists covering Mount Anak Krakatau, spoke regarding the life jackets and bottles found by the Indonesian Navy. He confirmed that the found life jackets do not belong to his ship.
In photos received by the media, the discovered life jackets are orange, whereas the life jackets on the Arupadhatu 1 are red and bright green.
“I have confirmed with the second captain, and he said they do not belong to Arupadhatu 1,” said the ship owner, Sandi Wiyasa, to reporters on Thursday (10/09/2026).