Search for Missing Journalists in Sunda Strait Remains Fruitless; PFI Urges SAR Team to Scour Sertung and Panjang Islands

The Indonesian Press Photographers Association (PFI) expects the joint Search and Rescue (SAR) team to expand the search range to the land areas surrounding the Mount Anak Krakatau (GAK) region. This request pertains to the ongoing efforts to locate five journalists who have been reported missing in the waters of the Sunda Strait.

The General Chairman of PFI Central, Dwi Pambudo, requested that the search focus be maximised to sweep small islands such as Sertung Island and Panjang Island. According to him, searching the landmasses of these islands is crucial to finding any clues regarding the whereabouts of the journalists.

“We greatly appreciate and are thankful for all the efforts and hard work deployed by the joint SAR team. We sincerely hope that the search focus can also be maximised to sweep the small islands around the Mount Anak Krakatau area,” said Dwi Pambudo in Pandeglang on Thursday (10/09/2026).

Echoing this sentiment, the Chairman of PFI Jakarta, Herman Zakharia, emphasised that the highly dynamic current and weather conditions in the Sunda Strait make it possible for survivors to have successfully reached the nearest land.

“There is a high possibility that survivors managed to save themselves and became stranded on the island clusters in the GAK area, such as Panjang Island or Sertung Island. We request the SAR Team’s assistance to sweep those areas in detail,” said Herman.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of PFI Tangerang, Dery Ridwansah, stated that all PFI members continue to monitor the progress of this humanitarian operation with great hope. He emphasised that coordination will continue to ensure that the information required by field teams is effectively communicated.

“The hard work of the SAR Team at sea is a glimmer of hope for us and the families. We continue to coordinate and pray that the expansion of the search to the land areas of the Krakatau islands yields good results,” said Dery.

PFI is committed to supporting the rescue efforts and is ready to provide any necessary information to ensure the smooth operation of the search for the five journalists.

Members of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), including Mahfudz Abdurrelman, have called upon Basarnas, the TNI (National Armed Forces), and the Polri (National Police) to deploy maximum resources to find the five journalists missing in the Sunda Strait. On the third day of the joint SAR operation, the search area has been expanded to the edges of Mount Anak Krakatau, covering an area of 2,109 nautical miles squared.

Junico Siahaan, a member of Commission I of the DPR, highlighted the heavy risks faced by the press following the disappearance of the five journalists while covering Mount Anak Krakatau activities. The search efforts for the eight individuals—consisting of five journalists and three ship crew members who lost contact in the Sunda Strait—continue to expand. Basarnas Banten has deployed a Dauphin HR-3604 helicopter and maritime drones to assist in the search near Anak Krakatau. Meanwhile, residents along the Carita coast in Pandeglang Regency, Banten, are also assisting in the search for the group.