Basarnas Expands Search for Journalists Missing Near Mount Anak Krakatau
Search Area Widened for Journalists Missing in Sunda Strait
Kabarsaji.com – Indonesian search and rescue personnel have broadened their operation in the Sunda Strait after a speedboat carrying journalists lost contact while they were covering activity at Mount Anak Krakatau. The mission entered its second day on Wednesday, with Basarnas, military personnel and police working across a substantially enlarged sector southwest of the volcanic island.
The missing boat departed Pagedongan Pier in Carita, Banten, at 14:00 WIB on Monday, Sept. 7, 2026. The group had set out to cover events connected to Mount Anak Krakatau, a volcano located in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra.
The last known position was shared with fellow journalists in Lampung at 14:42 WIB. Communications then stopped at 15:04 WIB near 6°14'40.52"S and 105°40'49.48"E, prompting an emergency response involving multiple maritime agencies.
Six Vessels Assigned to Five Search Units
Riski Dwiyanto, head of operations at the Banten Search and Rescue Office, said the operational area now extends over roughly 271 nautical miles. The decision to widen the search followed mapping work that indicated the southwest side of Mount Anak Krakatau Island as an important area for the operation.
“We have expanded the search area because SAR mapping analysis points to the southwest of Mount Anak Krakatau Island. In total, the search area covers approximately 271 nautical miles.”
Six vessels have been arranged into five Search and Rescue Units, with each team responsible for a designated sweep zone. The KN SAR Tual K is searching an area of 68.3 nautical miles. KAL Anyer, operated by the Banten Naval Base, has been assigned a 69.5-nautical-mile sector.
Two rigid inflatable boats from Lampung, RIB 01 and RIB 03, are covering 67 nautical miles. Another vessel, Banten RIB 02, has been tasked with a close inspection of Rakata Island and Panjang Island. That effort includes looking along shorelines for people, wreckage or other signs that may have been carried toward the islands.
The final vessel supporting the operation is KP Sanjay, operated by the Banten Regional Police Water and Air Police Unit. Its designated search sector measures 67.3 nautical miles.
“First, we are using the KN SAR Tual K, covering a search area of 68.3 nautical miles. Then, there is the KAL Anyer vessel belonging to the Banten Naval Base (Lanal Banten), with a range of 69.5 nautical miles.”
Weather Supports the Maritime Search
Conditions at sea have remained suitable for the ongoing sweep. Information from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency, or BMKG, showed partly cloudy weather, southerly winds moving north at 14 knots, and waves ranging from 0.4 to 1 meter.
For a search spread across open water and island shorelines, weather conditions can shape how quickly teams can inspect routes, maintain communications and deploy smaller rescue craft. The relatively moderate waves have allowed the joint operation to continue at sea.
“These conditions are still considered safe and highly favorable for us to conduct a sweep at sea.”
Mount Anak Krakatau lies in a busy but challenging stretch of water where changing sea conditions and the distance between small islands can complicate maritime operations. Search teams are using the most recent location information alongside digital analysis to prioritize the areas most likely to provide clues.
Families Receive Updates at Command Post
Relatives of those aboard the speedboat have begun arriving at the search command post. Basarnas has been providing briefings on the steps already taken and the areas currently being searched.
“Family members have started to arrive, and we have already briefed them on the actions taken so far. We ask for prayers from the media and the public so that the joint search and rescue team can quickly locate the victims safe and sound.”
At least seven people are being sought. They include ANTARA photojournalist M. Bagus Khoirunnas, Ari Basuki from Merdeka, Yudhis from iNews, Daus from Anadolu, freelance journalist Donal, and two other individuals whose identities were still being verified.
The operation brings together Basarnas Banten, the Indonesian military and police, naval personnel, and water police. Their work combines offshore patrols with inspections of nearby islands, reflecting the possibility that the boat or those aboard may have drifted from the last recorded position.
As the search continues, authorities are focusing resources on the expanded southwest sector while maintaining checks around Rakata and Panjang islands. The immediate objective remains locating the speedboat and everyone aboard as quickly as possible.
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