Search for Missing Journalists in Sunda Strait Deploys Maximum Resources; DPR Appreciates Joint SAR Team
Member of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Mahfudz Abdurrahman, has requested the government, through Basarnas, the TNI, and the National Police, to deploy all available resources in the search operation for five journalists and three ship crew members reported missing in the waters of the Sunda Strait while attempting to cover the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau.
Mahfudz emphasised that optimising the search for the missing journalists in the Sunda Strait is crucial given the challenging field conditions. “The search needs to be continuously optimised according to the conditions on the ground. All available resources and facilities must be deployed to the maximum to ensure the search process can proceed as quickly and effectively as possible,” Mahfudz stated in Jakarta on Thursday (10/9).
On this occasion, Mahfudz expressed his appreciation to the joint SAR team for their hard work in searching for all passengers on the missing vessel. He also expressed deep concern and hoped that the entire group would be found safe. However, he also reminded that the safety of SAR personnel must remain the primary concern during the operation.
“I am deeply concerned and pray that all journalists and members of the group who are missing can be found safe and sound. We hope that all the efforts of the SAR team will bear results as soon as possible,” he added, while praising the joint team continuing their work in the field.
As information, three ship crew members and five journalists have been out of contact since Monday (7/9). The five journalists are M. Bagus Khoirunnas (ANTARA News Banten Bureau), Ari Basuki (Merdeka), Yudhis (iNews), Daus (Anadolu News Agency), and Donal Husni (freelance journalist).
To strengthen the search operation, the Banten Search and Rescue (SAR) Office has deployed a Dauphin AS365 N3+ helicopter, registration number HR-3064. The Head of the Banten SAR Office, Al Amrad, explained that this aerial support is focused on monitoring the waters of the Sunda Strait and the area around Mount Anak Krakatau.
The helicopter is reported to have departed from Atang Sendjaja Airbase (Lanud ATS) towards several monitoring points, including Carita Beach and the Banten Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) area, to maximise visual range from the air in the effort to find the victims.
The joint SAR operation on its third day has expanded the search for the missing group to the edges of Mount Anak Krakatau, covering an area of 2,109 nautical miles squared. Members of Commission I of the DPR, Junico Siahaan, highlighted the heavy risks faced by the press following the disappearance of the five journalists while covering Mount Anak Krakatau in the Sunda Strait.