Search Intensifies for 5 Journalists Missing Near Anak Krakatau
Indonesian authorities are conducting a massive search for five journalists who went missing while covering the Anak Krakatau volcanic eruption.
JAKARTA — Indonesian authorities have launched an urgent search-and-rescue operation following the disappearance of five journalists who lost contact while covering volcanic activity at Mount Anak Krakatau in the Sunda Strait. The team, along with three crew members, vanished after departing from a marina in Pandeglang Regency, West Java, on Monday, Sept. 7, 2026, at approximately 2:00 p.m. local time (WIB).
The disappearance of the media group has sparked deep concern at the highest levels of the Indonesian government. Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR), urged relevant agencies on Wednesday, Sept. 9, to deploy all available resources to locate the vessel and ensure the safety of those on board. “We are deeply concerned about our journalist colleagues whose whereabouts remain unknown,” Dasco said at the Parliament Complex in Jakarta.
Missing Media Professionals and Crew
The missing journalists have been identified as Muhammad Bagus Khoirunas (Antara News Agency), Arie Basuki (Merdeka.com), Yudis (iNews), Daus (Anadolu Agency), and an independent freelance journalist named Donal. Reports indicate the group was traveling by boat when they lost communication, prompting an immediate mobilization of search-and-rescue teams.
Also on board the vessel were three local crew members and a guide: Warta, 55; Surakhman, 60; and Heriyanto, 49. Their disappearance has complicated ongoing monitoring efforts of the volcano, which sits in one of the world's most seismically active maritime corridors.
Coordinated Search Operations
The search mission currently involves multiple agencies, including the National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) and the Indonesian National Police. The operation is navigating the hazardous waters of the Sunda Strait, where volcanic activity from Anak Krakatau continues to pose significant geological and maritime risks.
The House of Representatives confirmed it is maintaining active coordination with disaster management officials to track the progress of the operation. Lawmakers are pressuring government agencies to maintain peak operational tempo in the search efforts. “We have instructed the relevant agencies to conduct maximum efforts so that the status of our colleagues can be confirmed as soon as possible,” Dasco stated, calling for public support and prayers for the safety of the search teams and the missing group.
