Ship Crew Member Found, SAR Operation for 5 Missing Journalists Concluded

The Head of the Banten SAR Office, Al Amrad, stated that his agency will not reopen the search operation for the group of journalists who went missing in the Sunda Strait waters on 7 September. This announcement follows the discovery and identification of a crew member’s body on Enggano Island, Bengkulu, on 12 September.

“According to our regulations, the search was conducted for 7 days. Within those 7 days, we had already extended it by 3 days. During that period, we found a body on the 12th. After an evaluation, we extended the search for another 3 days until the 14th. After those 3 days, there were no further signs of the victims,” Amrad said during a press conference on Wednesday (23/9).

Consequently, Amrad noted that as a follow-up, his agency has issued e-broadcasts and navigational warnings (mapel) for passing vessels. “The e-broadcasts we have implemented include these warnings; we have involved the Vessel Traffic Service (VTS), coastal radio stations, fishermen, and coastal communities around Lampung. To date, no information has been reported through these channels, including from transport vessels passing through the vicinity of the incident site,” he added.

Previously, the large-scale SAR operation for five journalists and three crew members missing near Mount Anak Krakatau in the Sunda Strait was officially halted on Thursday (17/9). The five journalists were aboard the vessel Arupadhatu to cover the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau (GAK).

The vessel lost contact in the Sunda Strait after departing from the Carita pier in Pandeglang on Monday (7/9). During the 10-day search period, no findings were made regarding the passengers of the Arupadhatu until the operation was closed.

However, on the fifth day of the search, one body was found near Enggano Island, Bengkulu. The body underwent further examination due to suspected links to the group of journalists.

Following identification, it was confirmed that the deceased was Surakman (60), a crew member of the ship carrying the journalists.