Search for Five Missing Journalists in Sunda Strait Expanded Today
Efforts to locate a group of journalists who lost contact in the waters of the Sunda Strait are ongoing. Entering this Thursday, the joint SAR team is preparing a new strategy by expanding the search area, particularly towards the northern side of the Mount Anak Krakatau region.
The change in sweeping patterns was implemented after the team evaluated the areas covered in previous searches. Factors such as sea currents, wave shifts, and wind direction are the primary considerations in determining the next search points.
The Head of the Banten Search and Rescue Office, Al Amrad, stated that the southern sector of the waters, up to a radius of approximately 20 nautical miles from the centre of Mount Anak Krakatau, has been thoroughly searched.
As that area is deemed to have been covered, the team will shift its search focus during the operations continuing on Thursday, 10 September 2026.
“For tomorrow, we may expand to the northern side in accordance with calculations of currents, wave shifts, and wind. We will remain near the Mount Krakatau area,” he explained.
The follow-up operation is scheduled to begin at 07:00 WIB. This time was chosen considering that water conditions are usually calmer in the morning, which can assist the sweeping process.
On the second day of the search, seven SAR Units (SRU) divided into five sectors were deployed. A total of nine primary tools (alut) are being used to expand the search range around Mount Anak Krakatau.
“The position of Anak Krakatau has been surrounded. If we calculate by radius, it extends approximately 15 to 20 nautical miles from Anak Krakatau,” he noted.
Several SAR ships and boats have been positioned at different locations. The Banten SAR Office RIB 02 is conducting sweeps around the southeast of Krakatau. Two RIBs from Lampung are moving towards several areas, including Sebuku Island, Lagundi Island, Sebukut, and the northern part of Krakatau.
Meanwhile, KN SAR Tetuka and KL Anyar are conducting searches in the northwest region of Mount Anak Krakatau up to Semangka Bay.
The sweep also involves KP Sanjaya in the southeastern sector. KRI Leuser and KRI Lepu are moving respectively on the eastern and southwestern sides of Mount Anak Krakatau.
The SAR operation is not without obstacles. Wave conditions vary across different water points as each primary tool is located in areas influenced by sea currents. Additionally, the ongoing volcanic activity of Mount Anak Krakatau remains a safety factor that must be taken into account.