Search Operations for Missing Journalists near Enggano Island Remain Unsuccessful
The Bengkulu Office of the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) has stated that search results for the speedboat, along with its three crew members and five journalists lost in the Sunda Strait, near the Enggano Island area in North Bengkulu Regency, remain nil.
“As of this afternoon, the search results are still nil. We will await further information to decide whether to continue the next SAR operation or terminate it, as this marks the third day of the additional search period following the initial seven days,” said the Head of the Bengkulu Basarnas Office, Muslikun Sodik, in Bengkulu City on Thursday (17/09/2026).
Muslikun noted that the Bengkulu Basarnas Office, alongside the Bengkulu Naval Base (Lanal) and other relevant agencies, is conducting the SAR operation under the command of the Banten SAR Office. To facilitate the search, the Bengkulu Basarnas Office has deployed 25 personnel and several primary assets, including the RB213 Bengkulu and RBB RIB 01 Bengkulu, operating in the Enggano waters.
Additionally, three rubber boat units (LTR) have been deployed to sweep the coastal areas of Bengkulu and Enggano waters in North Bengkulu Regency. Previously, on Wednesday (16/09), the Basarnas team conducted land sweeps and searches from Malakoni Pier to Banjarsari on Enggano Island. The team also planned to use a Basarnas RIB transported from Bengkulu City to Enggano Island via the ship Pulo Tello.
The speedboat being sought was carrying eight passengers, consisting of five journalists and three crew members. They were reported missing in the Sunda Strait while covering activities related to the Anak Krakatau volcano.
Meanwhile, the Bengkulu Regional Police (Polda) have sent DNA samples from an unidentified body found on Enggano Island to the Indonesian National Police Medical and Health Centre (Pusdokkes Mabes Polri). “Regarding the DNA matching, the DNA samples from the body found on Enggano Island have been sent to Pusdokkes Mabes Polri for verification,” said the Head of Public Relations for Bengkulu Regional Police, Kombes Pol Imam Wijayanto.
Autopsies and DNA testing are being conducted to confirm whether the body is linked to the disappearance of the five journalists and three crew members. Based on preliminary investigations by detectives, it has been confirmed that the deceased is not a local resident of Enggano Island.
“We are still waiting for the results; once they are available, we will announce them,” concluded Imam.
As of now, prayers continue to flow for the journalists who have not yet been found after performing their reporting duties amidst the disaster caused by the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau. The joint search and rescue operation for the group and the crew of the KM Arupadatu I speedboat, which lost contact in the Sunda Strait, has officially reached its tenth day, with the search area expanded to 8,509 nautical miles squared.