Third Day: Helicopters Deployed to Search for Five Missing Journalists in Sunda Strait
A Dauphin AS3lag 365 N3+ helicopter, registration HR-3604, has been deployed to assist in the search for eight individuals, including five journalists, who went missing after their speedboat lost contact in the waters of the Sunda Strait. The helicopter is surveying the SAR operational area up to the Mount Anak Krakatau region in Banten.
The Head of the Banten Search and Rescue Office, Al Amrad, stated on Thursday (10/9) that the helicopter departed from Atang Sendjaja Airbase at 12:36 WIB. The flight was scheduled to pass through JIExpo Kemayoran, Jakarta, before continuing its route to Carita Beach and the SAR operational zones in Banten.
Seven crew members are on board the helicopter, including Lt Col Pnb Endrik Setyo Utomo, Captain Pnb Dimas Aribowo, Serka Deatry Mulianto, Sertu Moch Farhan, Serda Eki P. Gintring, Pratu Ronni Bagus H, and Prada Brillian Muammar.
Aerial support was deployed as the search entered its third day. The Joint SAR Team has expanded the search area into six sectors, covering a total area of approximately 2,483 nautical miles.
The eight missing persons consist of a ship captain, crew members, a guide, and five journalists.
Al Amrad noted that the expansion of the sectors was necessary to increase the search range. “Entering the third day, we are expanding the search area and deploying more elements and facilities. We are optimising all available resources to find the eight people still being sought,” said Al Amrad.
The search involves Basarnas, the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL), Marine Police (Polairud), the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), potential SAR volunteers, fishermen, and local communities. Several ships and Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIB) have been deployed to patrol the expanded area.
The team is also utilising thermal drones as well as water, medical, and communication SAR equipment.
However, sea conditions present a significant challenge. The weather in the operational area is reported as cloudy with heavy overcast. Winds are blowing from south to north at approximately 15 knots, while wave heights reach between 2.5 and 4 metres.
Al Amrad stated that weather conditions are being continuously monitored to ensure the safety of personnel. “Personnel safety remains our priority, but we will continue to carry out search efforts to the maximum extent possible,” he said.
As of the third day of the operation, the eight individuals have not yet been found. The Joint SAR Team continues to conduct sweeps across various sectors of the Sunda Strait waters.