5 journalists and 3 others missing near Anak Krakatau as Indonesia expands search

Indonesian authorities expanded the search on September 10 for eight people – five journalists, a boat captain, a crew member and a guide – who went missing after their speedboat lost contact during a reporting trip to Anak Krakatau. Basarnas said the operation had grown to six search sectors, with 11 vessels, more than 300 personnel and a Dauphin AS365 N3+ helicopter deployed.

An aerial search found no sign of the group, while an unidentified life jacket recovered west of Anyer had not been linked to the missing boat.

The Banten Naval Base and joint search teams found the unmarked life jacket in waters west of Anyer, according to an ANTARA update published at 19:01 WIB (12:01 UTC) on September 10.

The item was recovered approximately 13 km (8 miles) west of Anyer and about 19–22 km (12–14 miles) from the speedboat’s last known position. Teams also recovered a white cylindrical object resembling equipment commonly used by local fishermen.

Banten Naval Base commander Wawan Subagyo Mardani said neither item could be identified as belonging to the missing group. The objects were being taken to the command post for examination and comparison with information from the boat’s operator.

Basarnas chief Mohammad Syafii said an aerial inspection on September 10 had not located the missing people or produced signs of their presence on islands around Anak Krakatau.

Basarnas deployed a Dauphin AS365 N3+ helicopter carrying seven personnel to survey the Sunda Strait, waters around the volcano and parts of the Banten coastline. Uncrewed aerial systems were also positioned aboard a search vessel to extend visual coverage.

The maritime operation expanded from three sectors on its first day and five on its second to six sectors on September 10. Basarnas said 11 principal vessels and more than 300 personnel were participating from the agency, Indonesian Navy, police, regional disaster-management authorities, and supporting organizations.

Deployed vessels included KRI Lepu, KN SAR Tetuka, KN SAR Basudewa, KAL Pohawang, KP Sanjaya, and RIB 02 Banten. Local fishermen were also assisting teams searching coastal waters.

The day-three search extended between Banten and Lampung waters and toward the edge of the permitted operating area around Anak Krakatau. Lampung police, Basarnas personnel and other units searched around Sebesi Island and adjoining waters as a precaution against the group having drifted toward Lampung.

Earlier, the Banten Search and Rescue Office said the southern search sector had been covered to approximately 37 km (23 miles) from the center of Anak Krakatau. Subsequent planning added northern waters based on calculations of currents, wave movement, and wind direction.

Banten SAR chief Al Amrad reported waves of 1–2 m (3–7 feet), with winds and waves becoming stronger toward midday and afternoon. Basarnas also reported restricted aerial visibility below approximately 1 500 m (5 000 feet) because of haze associated with fires and volcanic activity.

Basarnas said the search would continue intensively for seven days under International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue guidelines. Authorities are expected to review the operation with the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency, the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation, and medical teams on the seventh day.

The speedboat left Pagedongan Pier in Carita, Pandeglang Regency, Banten, at approximately 14:00 WIB (07:00 UTC) on September 7, according to the Indonesian National Police.

Police said one of the journalists sent a message containing the group’s location at approximately 14:42 WIB (07:42 UTC). Communication with everyone aboard was reported lost at approximately 15:04 WIB (08:04 UTC).

AP cited Al Amrad as saying relatives received a message at 18:13 WIB (11:13 UTC) stating that the group had reached waters around Anak Krakatau. Available official and media sources, however, do not explain the difference between the two timelines.

Basarnas identified the missing journalists as M. Bagus Khoirunnas of ANTARA, Ari Basuki of Merdeka.com, Yudhistiro of iNews, Firdaus of Anadolu Agency, and freelance journalist Donal. The three accompanying personnel were identified as Warta, the boat captain; Surakman, a crew member; and Heriyanto, a guide.

Authorities have not established why the speedboat lost contact, and available reports do not identify volcanic activity as the cause of the disappearance.

Anak Krakatau remained at Level III, or Siaga, on September 10. Indonesian geological authorities continued to prohibit public, visitor, and tourist activity within 3 km (2 miles) of the volcano’s active crater.

The speedboat group had traveled to the area following a prolonged eruption that began on September 4. The continuous eruptive phase subsequently ended, although the alert level and exclusion zone remained in effect.

Volcanic ash from the eruption had earlier forced temporary closures at eight Indonesian airports. All eight had reopened by September 8 after the ash cleared, with more than 340 000 travelers affected during the disruption. The aviation impact has not been linked to the speedboat’s disappearance.

Strong eruption at Anak Krakatau closes 8 airports, disrupts 1 558 flights in Indonesia

References:

¹ Aerial search for journalists has not yet yielded any results – Antara – September 10, 2026

² Day 3 update in the search for the five Anak Krakatau journalists: a life jacket has been found – Antara – September 10, 2026