Solo Journalists Hold Joint Prayer for Five Missing Photojournalists in Sunda Strait

Dozens of members from the Indonesian Photojournalists Association (PFI) Solo, the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI), and the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) held a joint prayer session for five photojournalists and three crew members who have been out of contact in the waters of the Sunda Strait since 7 September, while reporting on the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau.

They held a prayer for safety and lit candles of hope for the victims, who are currently still being searched for by the Joint Basarnas (National Search and Rescue Agency) Team in the Sunda Strait waters. As of the time the action was organised by the PFI, AJI, and PWC communities, all victims remain missing.

“The search and rescue efforts on this seventh day are still ongoing and will continue for the next three days,” said Yoma Riadi, chairman of PFI Solo.

The solidarity movement and prayer hope that the Joint Basarnas Team, which continues to struggle to scour the surrounding area via sea and air fleets, can find a glimmer of hope in locating the victims.

“Let us unite our prayers, ignite hope, and continue to believe that they will soon return home safely,” said Yoma, to which others agreed.

He emphasised that within the framework of journalistic work, members of the press are called upon whenever an event needs to be known and provided as accurate information to the global community. He added that the decision to cover the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau was made by senior colleagues who had carefully considered the situation they faced.

Furthermore, the five senior photojournalists departed by hiring a boat and crew from local residents who are familiar with the environment. “Therefore, this was through careful consideration,” added the Suara Merdeka photojournalist.

During the emotional and moving action, journalists from the Solo Raya region expressed their hope that the five missing photojournalists could still be saved. Several posters contained heartfelt prayers and messages, such as: “Best prayers for our colleagues who lost contact while performing journalistic duties at Mount Anak Krakatau,” “No news is worth a life,” and “No matter how far the waves carry you away, may the currents of our prayers guide you back home.”

There was also a banner with the narrative: “Our hands may not be able to reach you, but we continue to walk alongside you in prayer.” This action also serves as a collective reflection on the high safety risks frequently faced by news seekers in disaster zones in order to present accurate information to the public.

The Joint SAR Team has expanded the search area for the five journalists and three citizens missing in the Sunda Strait towards the Indian Ocean, following the shift in sea currents. The search has been extended for the next three days after the seventh-day evaluation yielded no results. Foggy weather and the activity of Anak Krakatau remain the primary obstacles. The volcanic system in the Sunda Strait is historically divided into three main periods: Old Krakatoa, Young Krakatoa, and Anak Krakatau, which emerged gradually after the 1883 eruption. The development of field conditions will determine the continuity of the humanitarian operation. The Joint SAR Team has discovered life jackets and tarpaulins during the search for the eight missing individuals.