Search for 5 Journalists Missing While Covering Anak Krakatau Expanded to Indian Ocean

Pandeglang, VIVA – The joint SAR team has expanded the search area for five journalists and three residents who lost contact in the waters of the Sundable Strait. Entering the sixth and seventh days of the search, the operation has even shifted towards the Indian Ocean region.

This change in the search area was implemented by considering the movement of sea currents observed by the team on the ground. The Head of the Banten SAR Office, Al Amrad, stated that the shift in currents was a crucial consideration in determining the next search area.

“On the 6th and 7th days, we have actually entered the Indian Ocean, based on our observations of the shifting currents. This condition was a key consideration for the team in determining the next search area,” he said, as quoted on Tuesday, 15 September 2026.

According to Amrad, the subsequent search area was determined based on the evaluation of the operation over the past seven days, observations of current movements, and sea condition data.

The search is still being conducted using boats and aerial monitoring. However, the execution is being adjusted to the weather conditions at the location.

Weather has been one of the obstacles faced by the joint SAR team during the operation. On the first and second days, conditions around Mount Anak Krakatau were not conducive to an optimal search.

Subsequently, from the third to the sixth day, the team faced challenges with fog that hindered aerial searches.

“On the fifth day, helicopters were still able to conduct searches, but with a visibility of approximately 1.5 kilometres at an altitude of 500 feet. However, on the sixth day, the prepared helicopters could not be flown due to foggy conditions,” he said.

The joint SAR team has also not yet been able to use diving methods to search for the victims. This is because the exact location of the victims or the speedboat used has not yet been found.

Amrad stated that diving teams remain on standby in the event that the victims’ location is identified.

“As for the diving method, because we have not found the victims’ location, we cannot confirm diving yet. However, our team remains ready until such a point is reached,” he said.

The eight individuals previously departed using a speedboat from Pegedongan Pier, Carita, Pandeglang Regency, on Monday, 7 September 2026, at approximately 14:00 WIB, heading towards the Mount Anak Krakatau area.