Police, Basarnas Intensify Search for Journalists Missing Near Anak Krakatau
Search Continues for Journalists Who Lost Contact Near Anak Krakatau
Kabarsaji.com – Indonesian authorities are continuing an intensive search in the Sunda Strait for a group of journalists who lost contact while travelling by speedboat to cover activity at Mount Anak Krakatau.
The operation involves the Indonesian National Police, the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), and other joint personnel. Search teams have focused on the area near the vessel’s last known position after communications with those aboard stopped on Monday afternoon.
The media crew left Pagedongan Pier in Carita at about 14:00 WIB on September 7, 2026. Their speedboat was heading into the waters around Anak Krakatau, an active volcanic island located in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra.
Contact with the group was last made at approximately 14:42 WIB. Communication was then lost at 15:04 WIB, prompting a coordinated response from police and rescue authorities.
Police and Rescue Teams Coordinate at Sea
Inspector General Johnny Eddizon Isir, head of the National Police Public Relations Division, said police had committed personnel, equipment, and coordination support to the effort.
The National Police will continue to collaborate and provide maximum support in this search operation. We hope that all media crew members can be found safe and sound soon.
The Banten Regional Police Water Police Directorate, known as Ditpolair, joined Basarnas and other units in searching the waters surrounding the location where the speedboat was last believed to be operating.
Marine searches can be especially challenging when a boat’s exact route and final position are uncertain. Teams must cover broad sections of water while considering communication records, departure information, vessel movement, and conditions in the search area. The operation near Anak Krakatau also takes place in a region where volcanic activity can create additional operational concerns for crews working at sea.
Authorities did not announce that the journalists had been found before the overnight suspension of the initial search effort. Instead, the joint operation was scheduled to resume on Wednesday, September 9.
Search Paused Overnight, Set to Resume
Adjunct Senior Commissioner Lis Handayana, who leads the Patrol Sub-directorate at the Banten Regional Police Water Police Directorate, said a Basarnas vessel worked alongside units from Banten police and National Police Headquarters.
The search continued until 22:31 WIB. Lis said conditions remained safe and under control during the operation.
For the time being, the search has been suspended, and we will resume it tomorrow.
The temporary halt reflected the end of the day’s search window rather than the conclusion of the operation. Rescue teams were expected to return to the water to continue efforts to locate the missing group.
Preliminary information identifies at least seven people as the focus of the search. They include photojournalist M. Bagus Khoirunnas of LKBN ANTARA, Ari Basuki of Merdeka, Yudhis of iNews, Daus of Anadolu, and Donal, a freelance journalist. Authorities were still confirming details involving two additional individuals.
Coverage Mission Near an Active Volcano
The missing crew had travelled to document Mount Anak Krakatau, whose activity frequently draws the attention of scientists, disaster-monitoring agencies, residents in surrounding coastal areas, and news organizations.
Anak Krakatau, meaning “Child of Krakatau,” emerged in the area associated with the historic Krakatau volcanic system. Its location in the Sunda Strait makes maritime access important for monitoring and media coverage, while also requiring close attention to safety conditions. Access to waters near an active volcano may change depending on official restrictions, weather, waves, visibility, and volcanic developments.
For journalists, assignments involving natural hazards often require travel into environments where conditions can shift quickly. Reporting crews may work alongside photographers, videographers, boat operators, local authorities, and emergency personnel to document events that affect the public. The ongoing search has highlighted the risks faced by media workers covering dangerous and fast-changing situations.
Police and Basarnas have not released further verified details about the speedboat’s condition, the cause of the lost contact, or the identities of the remaining two people being sought. The priority remains locating everyone connected to the mission.
Families, colleagues, and the broader media community are awaiting developments as the joint teams continue their work in the Sunda Strait. Authorities have emphasized cooperation between police, rescue agencies, and supporting units as the search moves into its next phase.
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