Search for Five Journalists and Three Crew Members Missing Expanded to Lampung Waters

The Lampung Regional Police have expanded search efforts for five journalists and three crew members reported missing after losing contact while sailing from Carita Beach, Pandeglang Regency, Banten, towards the Mount Anak Krakatau (GAK) area in the Sunda Strait.

“The search area will be expanded to include several waters within the legal jurisdiction of the Lampung Regional Police,” stated the Head of Public Relations for the Lampung Regional Police, Kombes Pol Yuni Iswandari, confirmed from Bandar Lampung on Thursday.

She stated that this step was taken as a precautionary measure in case the victims were carried by currents into Lampung waters.

“We are anticipating the possibility that the victims may have been carried towards Lampung waters. We hope that through these efforts, there will be a breakthrough and information regarding the whereabouts of our colleagues,” she said.

The Lampung Regional Police emphasised that they will continue to assist the search process alongside police units and SAR teams to find clarity regarding the location of the five journalists and three crew members.

“We do not know; there is a possibility that information or news arises that they have been found at sea. We hope our friends there are granted long lives and are found soon,” she added.

Following the vessel incident in Banten waters, she noted that the Lampung Regional Police and joint SAR teams have been deployed to assist in the search by patrolling waters under the Lampung Police jurisdiction.

“Previously, Marine Police personnel, along with Basarnas, DKO Mabes personnel, and the Lampung Regional Police Brimob, were deployed to conduct patrols around Sebesi Island and several areas of Lampung waters,” she said.

“Yesterday (9/9), we deployed two teams. The first team consisted of Marine Police, DKO Mabises, and Basarnas personnel. The second team consisted of six Marine Police members and five Brimob members who also searched Lampung waters, but no breakthrough has been found regarding their whereabouts,” said Yuni Iswandari.

She added that the Lampung Regional Police plan to conduct further searches using boats. Additionally, aerial searches via helicopter are being prepared, provided that weather conditions permit.

“God willing, if the helicopter can fly and the cloud and weather conditions allow, we will conduct aerial patrols,” she concluded.