September 9, 2026 | 07:45 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian National Police, together with the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) and relevant agencies, are maximizing efforts to locate several journalists who lost contact while covering the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau in the waters of the Sunda Strait, Pandeglang Regency, Banten.
National Police Public Relations Division Head Inspector General Johnny Eddizon Isir stated in Jakarta on Tuesday that the police are committed to fully supporting the search process by deploying personnel and resources, as well as collaborating with relevant agencies.
"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," he said.
Isir stated that the search effort was launched after a speedboat carrying the media crew departed from Pagedongan Pier, Carita, on Monday, Sept. 7, 2026, at approximately 14:00 WIB (Western Indonesia Time) to cover the activity of Mount Anak Krakatau.
The last communication with the group reportedly took place around 14:42 WIB, before contact was lost at 15:04 WIB.
Following up on this information, the National Police—through the Water Police Directorate (Ditpolair) of the Banten Regional Police—collaborated with Basarnas and joint units to conduct a search around the speedboat's last known location.
Meanwhile, the Head of the Patrol Sub-directorate of the Banten Regional Police Water Police Directorate, Adjunct Senior Commissioner (AKBP) Lis Handayana, stated that a Basarnas vessel, together with joint units from the Banten Regional Police Water Police Directorate and National Police Headquarters, conducted search operations until 22:31 WIB.
Lis noted that the situation remained safe and under control throughout the search process. The joint team is set to resume the search operation on Wednesday (Sept. 9).
"For the time being, the search has been suspended, and we will resume it tomorrow," he said.
Preliminary data from Basarnas indicates that at least seven individuals are the subjects of the search, including photojournalist M. Bagus Khoirunnas (LKBN ANTARA), Ari Basuki (Merdeka), Yudhis (iNews), Daus (Anadolu), Donal (freelance journalist), and two others whose details are still being verified.
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