Search for Missing Journalists Narrows to Sunda Strait Coastline on Ninth Day
Basarnas has narrowed the search area for the fast boat KM Arupadatu I, which is carrying a group of journalists still missing in the Sunda Strait. Today marks the ninth day of the search, Wednesday (16/9). The Head of Operations for the Banten SAR Office, Rizky Dwianto, stated that the total search area on the ninth day covers 3,439 nautical miles (NM) square.
“We have divided the area into eight sectors to focus the sweeping process. Previously, the track spacing for the search vessels was approximately 3 nautical miles, but today we have tightened it to between 1 and 2 nautical miles,” he said at the Joint SAR Main Post, Carita Beach, Pandeglang, on Wednesday (16/9).
The search will focus on the southeastern region of Mount Anak Krakatau (GAK). This focus was determined from the results of calculating current movements, waves, and wind using SARMAP modelling.
A total of 570 personnel have been deployed for the ninth day of the search, consisting of 307 personnel in the main sea fleet and 263 personnel on standby at land posts, supported by a total of 22 sweeping vessels.
The maritime fleet deployed for the ninth day includes three Basarnas units (KN SAR and two RIBs), five KRI vessels, two KAL, and one RBB from the Indonesian Navy, as well as eight maritime police patrol units.
Regarding the search sectors, Rizky noted that Sector A, covering 511 NM square, is being swept by KRI Dewa Kembar and KP Sanjaya; Sector B (539 NM) by KN SAR Basudewa; Sector C (585 NM) by KRI Leuser; and Sector D (319 NM) by KN SAR Antasena and KRI Lepu.
Furthermore, the coastal area is being swept by Sector E (271 NM) using RIB 02 Lampung and KAL Pahawang; Sector F (265 NM) by seven maritime police vessels; Sector G (282 NM) by RIB 02 Banten, KAL Anyer, and RBB Pulau Peucang; and Sector H (667 NM) patrolled by KN SAR Tetuka, KRI Kerambit, KRI Gilimanuk, and KN Damaru.
The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) predicts cloudy conditions in the Sunda Strait waters with wave heights of 0.5 to 2.5 metres towards the northeast and wind speeds of 5-20 knots from the southeast to the south. Meanwhile, observations from the Centre for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation (PVMBG) indicate that Mount Anak Krakatau remains shrouded in fog, with continuous shallow volcanic earthquake activity and tremors. All personnel are prioritising safety.
Baznas RI has provided essential aid to the five families of the journalists who lost contact in the waters of the Sunda Strait while reporting on Mount Anak Krakatau. Families held prayer services and lit candles of hope for the victims, who remain in the process of being searched for by the Joint Basarnas Team.