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SAR Jakarta Deploys Additional Vessel as Search for Five Journalists and Three Crew Members Enters Fourth Day in Sunda Strait

by Dwi Wanna September 11, 2026

written by Dwi Wanna

The search and rescue operation for eight individuals, including five journalists, two boat crew members, and a local guide, who went missing after their speedboat lost contact in the Sunda Strait, has been significantly intensified. Entering its fourth day of operations, the Jakarta Search and Rescue (SAR) Office has dispatched an additional rescue vessel to bolster the ongoing maritime search grid.

The incident, which has drawn widespread concern from journalistic organizations and the public alike, underscores the profound dangers inherent in disaster reporting, particularly in volatile volcanic regions. As rescue teams battle challenging maritime conditions, the mobilization of advanced assets reflects the escalating urgency to locate the missing persons before the critical survival window narrows further.

Deployment of KN SAR 234 Antasena

In a concerted effort to expand the operational search area and enhance logistical capabilities, the Jakarta SAR Office deployed the rescue vessel KN SAR 234 Antasena on Friday, September 11, 2026. Departing from the Basarnas Pier at Pantai Mutiara, Jakarta, the vessel was steered directly toward the designated operational zone in the waters surrounding the Sunda Strait.

The ship carries a specialized deployment of 18 personnel, comprising seasoned ship crew members and trained rescue operatives equipped for open-water extraction and search missions. According to the operational schedule, the KN SAR 234 Antasena was slated to dock at the Indah Kiat Pier in Cilegon, Banten, to establish a tactical staging point before seamlessly integrating into the multi-agency joint SAR fleet operating in the field.

Head of the Jakarta SAR Office, Desiana Kartika Bahari, emphasized that the reinforcement is critical to optimizing the search efforts under dynamic and unpredictable field conditions. "We have deployed the KN SAR 234 Antasena along with 18 crew members and rescue personnel to reinforce the search and rescue operations currently underway," Bahari stated on Friday. "The addition of this element is expected to support the search efforts so that they can run more optimally in accordance with developments in the situation on the ground."

Chronology of the Incident

The sequence of events leading to the large-scale search operation began on Monday, September 7, 2026. The speedboat, identified as the Arupadatu I, departed on a maritime voyage with a specific journalistic mandate: to document and report on the ongoing volcanic activity and eruption phases of Mount Anak Krakatau, one of Indonesia’s most active and closely monitored geological formations.

Aboard the vessel were eight individuals whose primary mission was to capture the unfolding natural phenomenon for public dissemination. The manifest included five professional journalists representing various media outlets, two boat crew members responsible for navigation and vessel operation, and one local guide possessing regional maritime expertise.

Initial concerns arose when scheduled check-ins from the vessel failed to materialize late Monday. As hours passed without communication or radar transponder updates, maritime authorities were alerted. By Tuesday morning, September 8, 2026, the disappearance was officially classified as a maritime distress incident, triggering the immediate formation of a Joint SAR Team comprising Basarnas, the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL), the Water Police (Polairud), and local volunteer networks.

Background Context: The Volatile Hazard of Mount Anak Krakatau

Mount Anak Krakatau, translating to "Child of Krakatoa," sits in the Sunda Strait between the islands of Java and Sumatra. Born from the remnants of the catastrophic 1883 eruption of Krakatoa, the volcano has remained persistently active, frequently undergoing Strombolian eruptions, ash ejections, and lava flows.

Because of its remote island location, media coverage of Mount Anak Krakatau typically requires marine transit via speedboats or chartered fishing vessels departing from coastal points in Banten, such as Carita or Anyer, or from Lampung on the Sumatran side. However, the waters of the Sunda Strait are notoriously treacherous. The strait connects the Java Sea to the Indian Ocean, producing strong crosscurrents, sudden squalls, high swells, and unpredictable wind patterns that can rapidly compromise small watercraft.

Furthermore, reporting on active volcanic zones presents compounded safety hazards. Beyond the maritime risks of transit, eruptions can trigger sudden submarine landslides, localized tsunami waves, and dense ash plumes that severely impair visibility and navigation equipment. The disappearance of the Arupadatu I highlights the extreme risks journalists routinely undertake to inform the public about natural disasters and geological hazards.

Solidarity and Public Reaction

The disappearance of the five journalists has sent shockwaves through Indonesia’s media landscape. Professional organizations, including the Jakarta chapter of the Photojournalist Federation (PFI Jakarta) and the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI), have expressed deep concern and solidarity with the families of the missing crew and reporters.

Earlier in the week, PFI Jakarta held a solemn prayer gathering, calling on journalists, press freedom advocates, and the general public to unite in hope for the safe recovery of the missing individuals. Media institutions have echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the irreplaceable value of human life over breaking news coverage and urging authorities to leave no stone unturned in the search operation.

Social media platforms have also been flooded with messages of support, using hashtags dedicated to the safety of the missing journalists. The incident has reignited vital discussions within newsroom management regarding safety protocols, risk assessment procedures, and mandatory survival gear requirements for journalists assigned to hazardous environments like active disaster zones.

Operational Challenges Faced by the Joint SAR Team

As the search operation enters its crucial fourth and fifth days, the Joint SAR Team faces formidable logistical and environmental hurdles. The search grid spans a vast expanse of the Sunda Strait, encompassing hundreds of square nautical miles of open water, jagged coastline, and underwater topography influenced by shifting ocean currents.

Rescue coordinators are utilizing a combination of surface sweeping by vessels—now including the newly arrived KN SAR 234 Antasena—aerial surveillance via drones and helicopters, and underwater sonar technology where debris fields are suspected. However, weather patterns in the strait have proven volatile, with intermittent rain squalls, low-cloud cover, and rough seas periodically hampering visibility and slowing down search maneuvers.

Despite these obstacles, search commanders maintain a high level of coordination. Personnel are operating in rotational shifts to ensure 24-hour coverage, deploying both high-speed rubber boats for near-shore and shallow-reef searches and larger vessels capable of enduring deep-sea swells.

Broader Implications and Industry Impacts

The ongoing crisis involving the Arupadatu I is expected to leave a lasting mark on Indonesian journalism and maritime safety regulations. Key implications of the incident include:

Review of Media Safety Standards: News organizations are re-evaluating their deployment guidelines. There is a growing consensus that reporting on active volcanoes and open-sea environments must mandate rigorous pre-departure safety briefings, certified captain credentials, real-time satellite tracking devices, and professional-grade personal flotation devices (PFDs) for all media personnel.
Inter-Agency Maritime Monitoring: The incident has prompted calls for enhanced tracking and communication protocols between civilian charter vessels operating near hazard zones and maritime authorities. Improved vessel monitoring systems (VMS) could drastically reduce response times when a boat loses contact.
Psychosocial Support for Families: As the search extends beyond the initial 72-hour window—traditionally viewed as the critical threshold for survival in maritime incidents—media houses and state agencies are providing continuous counseling and logistical support to the families waiting anxiously at the command posts in Cilegon and Jakarta.

Outlook of the Search Operation

With the integration of the KN SAR 234 Antasena, the operational capacity of the Joint SAR Team has reached a new peak. Search teams remain steadfast in their mission, driven by the collective hope of finding survivors or bringing closure to the grieving families.

As maritime units cut through the waves of the Sunda Strait under the watchful eye of Mount Anak Krakatau, the nation watches closely, reminded once again of the immense personal sacrifices made by those who document the raw fury of the natural world.

September 11, 2026 0 comment

Education and Careers

Chronology of Life Jacket Discovery in the Search for Five Missing Journalists and Crew in the Sunda Strait

by Asro September 10, 2026

written by Asro

JAKARTA — Joint Search and Rescue (SAR) operations in the treacherous waters of the Sunda Strait reached a critical juncture on Thursday, September 10, 2026, as rescue teams recovered a life jacket and makeshift flotation devices during their sweep for eight individuals reported missing. The victims, comprising five journalists and three crew members, were aboard a speedboat that lost contact days earlier under adverse maritime conditions. While the discovery offers a tangible lead in an otherwise bleak operation, naval authorities have emphasized that it remains unconfirmed whether the retrieved equipment belongs to any of the missing passengers.

The ongoing search underscores the extreme volatility of maritime navigation in the Sunda Strait—a vital yet perilous waterway connecting the islands of Java and Sumatra. As specialized vessel units, aircraft, and personnel from the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL), the National SAR Agency (Basarnas), and local volunteers comb through a wide radius, the recovery of safety gear has intensified both urgency and anxiety among families and media organizations awaiting definitive news.

Chronology of the Discovery

The breakthrough occurred on the third day of the intensive SAR operation. According to the Commander of the Banten Naval Base (Danlanal Banten), Lieutenant Colonel (Navy) Wawan Subagyo Mardani, the discovery was made by the Indonesian Navy patrol vessel KAL Anyer while executing tactical sweep patterns designated for the mission.

At approximately 15:10 Western Indonesia Time (WIB), lookouts aboard KAL Anyer spotted an isolated floating object bobbing on the surface. Upon closing in on the coordinates, the crew identified the item as a standard marine life jacket.

Lieutenant Colonel Wawan pinpointed the exact location of the find at coordinates 06°04’40" South Latitude and 105°45’17" East Longitude. Upon securing the life jacket, the patrol team conducted a broader visual scan of the immediate vicinity. Their vigilance paid off when they discovered an additional improvised flotation device constructed from tied white plastic bottles floating nearby. Both items were retrieved and logged as evidence to be analyzed by disaster victim identification (DVI) and investigative teams.

"So, at the position of latitude and longitude 06 degrees, 04 minutes, 40 seconds south and 105 degrees, 45 minutes, 17 seconds east at 15.10 WIB, KAL Anyer spotted an object suspected to be a life jacket," Wawan stated on Thursday, September 10, 2026. "After the object was approached, it was taken and lifted, and around that object, there was also a float in the form of a white bottle."

Background Context: The Disappearance in the Sunda Strait

The incident began earlier in the week when a speedboat carrying a delegation of five journalists and three boat handlers lost all communication channels while transiting a stretch of the Sunda Strait known for unpredictable currents, sudden squalls, and heavy commercial maritime traffic. The media crew had been en route to cover a marine assignment when their vessel failed to check in at scheduled intervals, triggering an emergency alert.

The Sunda Strait is historically recognized as one of Indonesia’s most challenging maritime corridors. Spanning the passage between the Java Sea and the Indian Ocean, the strait experiences complex tidal movements, deep underwater trenches, and seasonal high-velocity winds that can rapidly turn calm waters into hazardous zones for small-to-medium watercraft.

When initial calls to the speedboat went unanswered, local maritime authorities immediately escalated the status from a missed communication to a full-scale search and rescue operation. Given the passage’s strong westerly and southerly currents, modeling experts projected that any drifting debris or survivors could be displaced across a vast geographical expanse, complicating the deployment of search assets.

Kronologi Temuan Life Jacket dalam Pencarian 5 Jurnalis Hilang di Selat Sunda

Mobilization of Joint SAR Resources

The search operation has mobilized a multi-agency response team coordinated by Basarnas, with crucial tactical backing from the Indonesian Navy. Naval assets, including KAL Anyer and other specialized patrol boats equipped with sonar and radar capabilities, have been deployed alongside rubber boats and aerial surveillance drones.

Rescue teams have divided the search area into several distinct sectors, prioritizing drift-trajectory models calculated from meteorological data collected at the time the speedboat went missing. Wind speeds, wave heights, and surface current vectors supplied by Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) have been instrumental in narrowing down high-probability drift zones where the life jacket was ultimately found.

Despite the utilization of advanced tracking mechanisms, operations have faced persistent hurdles. Inclement weather, periodic low visibility, and high swells have repeatedly forced temporary suspensions of aerial sweeps, placing the heavy lifting of the search onto surface vessels navigating hostile waters.

Official Responses and Family Anxieties

The families of the missing journalists and crew members remain in a state of agonizing suspense at the designated command post near the coast. Media advocacy groups and journalistic associations across Indonesia have expressed profound concern, calling for an intensification of search efforts and urging the government to deploy all available national assets to locate the missing persons.

Naval leadership has maintained absolute transparency regarding the findings while urging caution against premature speculation. Lieutenant Colonel Wawan reiterated that the recovery of the life jacket does not automatically confirm the safety or fate of the passengers. Marine safety equipment frequently detaches from vessels during heavy turbulence, or it may have been deployed proactively before an emergency arose.

"We cannot jump to conclusions until physical evidence or the victims themselves are found," a senior Basarnas spokesperson noted during a daily operational briefing. "Every piece of debris recovered is cataloged and cross-referenced with the manifest and equipment logs of the lost speedboat."

Broader Implications for Maritime Safety and Press Operations

The unfolding tragedy has cast a sharp spotlight on the safety protocols governing media personnel deployed on maritime assignments. Investigative reporting and field assignments in coastal and open-sea environments inherently carry elevated physical risks, yet adherence to standard marine safety regulations—such as mandatory GPS transponder usage, satellite communication redundancy, and certified vessel seaworthiness—varies widely.

Industry analysts and press freedom organizations have renewed calls for media corporations to establish rigorous risk-assessment frameworks for field reporters. Ensuring that personnel are equipped with personal locator beacons (PLBs) and that chartered vessels undergo stringent safety inspections can dramatically alter survival outcomes in maritime mishaps.

As daylight wanes and the search operation enters its subsequent phases, the joint SAR team remains committed to expanding its perimeter based on the drift patterns suggested by the latest discoveries. For now, the small white bottle float and the solitary life jacket pulled from the waves of the Sunda Strait stand as the primary physical markers in an ongoing race against time to bring eight missing individuals home.

September 10, 2026 0 comment

Health and Wellness

Neighbors and Relatives Hold Special Prayer for the Safety of iNews Photographer Yudistiro Pranoto and Missing Sunda Strait Crew

by Layla Zulfa September 10, 2026

written by Layla Zulfa

DEPOK — An atmosphere of profound anxiety and collective hope enveloped the Nuansa Asri residential complex in Cinangka, Depok, West Java, as families, friends, and local residents gathered to offer fervent prayers for the safe return of Yudistiro Pranoto, a dedicated photojournalist for iNews Media Group. Yudistiro remains among the missing following a maritime tragedy involving a speedboat in the volatile waters of the Sunda Strait, where a team of journalists was documenting the geological activities of Mount Anak Krakatau.

The solemn gathering took place at the Al-Wafa Mosque, where the community assembled shortly after the Isha prayers on Thursday, September 10, 2026. Seated in quiet reflection across the carpeted floors, participants raised their hands in collective supplication, united by a singular, earnest hope: that Yudistiro and his fellow media personnel, alongside the boat’s operating crew, would be found alive and unharmed.

The sudden and distressing news of the disappearance has deeply shaken both the professional media community in Indonesia and the local neighborhoods where these journalists reside. As rescue operations stretch across the rough waters of the Sunda Strait, communities ashore have turned to spiritual solidarity, seeking strength and divine intervention for the missing individuals and their families waiting anxiously for updates.

A Community United in Grief and Hope

Inside the Al-Wafa Mosque, the mood was heavy with emotion yet anchored in resilience. Warga (local residents) filled the prayer hall, sitting cross-legged in hushed reverence as religious leaders led the congregation through special prayers and istigosah—an Islamic ritual of seeking ultimate assistance from the Almighty during times of extreme hardship.

Local neighborhood association (RT) head Hanes explained that the gathering was organized spontaneously in response to the overwhelming public concern for Yudistiro, who is well-regarded within the neighborhood.

"We urgently invited all residents of this housing complex to hold a joint prayer and istigosah," Hanes stated during the gathering, reflecting the sentiments of a community desperate for positive news. The prayers were not only dedicated to Yudistiro Pranoto but extended broadly to encompass all journalists and vessel crew members who went missing during the high-risk reporting assignment.

The disappearance has cast a spotlight on the inherent dangers faced by field reporters and media crews who frequently venture into hazardous environments—ranging from active volcanic zones to treacherous open seas—to deliver timely news and visual documentation to the public.

Background Context: The Sunda Strait Incident and Mount Anak Krakatau

The tragic sequence of events unfolded during a journalistic expedition aimed at capturing the recent heightened activities of Mount Anak Krakatau, a notoriously volatile volcanic island situated in the Sunda Strait between the islands of Java and Sumatra. Known historically for its catastrophic 1883 eruption, the volcano remains an active monitoring site for volcanologists and a focal point for media coverage due to its potential to trigger localized tsunamis and maritime hazards.

Tetangga dan Kerabat Gelar Doa Bersama untuk Keselamatan Fotografer iNews Yudistiro Pranoto

On the fateful day of the incident, a specialized reporting team comprising journalists and technical media personnel boarded a chartered speedboat to conduct visual and aerial documentation of the volcano’s crater and surrounding marine perimeter. However, changing weather conditions, high waves, and strong currents in the Sunda Strait are believed to have severely compromised maritime navigation, leading to the vessel losing contact with its home base.

Initial search and rescue (SAR) efforts were swiftly mobilized following the disappearance notification. Maritime police, the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL), and volunteer maritime groups deployed vessels and aircraft to comb the vast expanse of the Sunda Strait. The operational scope covers multiple nautical miles, factoring in wind patterns, tidal drifts, and underwater currents common to the region.

Chronology of Search and Rescue Operations

The urgency of the search intensified following the discovery of key maritime safety equipment belonging to the missing vessel. According to initial incident reports, SAR teams recovered essential items, including a life jacket confirmed to be linked to the missing boat, during sweeping operations across designated search sectors in the Sunda Strait.

The timeline of the ongoing response highlights the immense scale of the multi-agency operation:

Day of Incident: The speedboat carrying Yudistiro Pranoto and several other journalists loses contact while traversing the waters near Mount Anak Krakatau. Emergency protocols are triggered as the vessel fails to return at its scheduled arrival time.
First 24 Hours: Basarnas, alongside local maritime authorities and naval units, officially launches search and rescue operations, establishing a joint command post to coordinate tracking efforts across the Sunda Strait.
Subsequent Discoveries: SAR teams recover critical debris and safety gear, including life jackets, providing crucial drift-modeling data to narrow down potential search perimeters.
Current Status: Search efforts enter an expanded phase involving sonar technology, aerial surveillance, and coastal patrols. Concurrently, families and colleagues hold vigils and prayer services across various locations, including Depok, awaiting breakthroughs from the rescue teams.

Implications for Journalist Safety and Media Operations

The incident involving Yudistiro Pranoto and his colleagues has reignited crucial national discussions regarding occupational safety standards for field journalists, particularly those assigned to extreme environments such as active volcanoes, conflict zones, and disaster-prone maritime regions.

Media advocacy groups, press councils, and broadcasting networks face mounting pressure to re-evaluate risk assessment protocols before deploying personnel into high-hazard zones. While news organizations routinely provide baseline safety equipment—such as life jackets, communication devices, and protective gear—industry observers argue that standardized maritime safety protocols, weather-dependent go/no-go criteria, and real-time tracking systems must be strictly enforced across all media platforms.

The psychological toll on newsroom colleagues and families is equally profound. Journalism often demands frontline presence to chronicle natural phenomena and humanitarian crises, placing reporters in direct proximity to unpredictable hazards. Incidents of this magnitude underscore the vital sacrifices made by media workers in the pursuit of public information, while also highlighting the urgent need for enhanced institutional support systems for families during crises.

Official Responses and Continued Vigil

As rescue teams continue their relentless sweep of the Sunda Strait, government agencies, media corporations, and civil society organizations have pledged unwavering support for the ongoing SAR operations. iNews Media Group has remained in close coordination with Basarnas, maritime authorities, and the families of the missing personnel, providing continuous updates and psychological assistance to the affected households.

Back in Cinangka, Depok, the residents of Nuansa Asri remain resolute in their emotional support for Yudistiro Pranoto’s family. The community gathering at the Al-Wafa Mosque served as a poignant reminder of human solidarity in the face of uncertainty. As community members departed the mosque into the quiet night, their collective prayers lingered in the air—a testament to hope, endurance, and the unified desire for a safe homecoming for all those lost at sea.

September 10, 2026 0 comment