Five Journalists are Missing Near Mount Anak Krakatau, Vessel's Owner Confirming it’s Seaworthy

Jakarta: Five journalists are missing near Mount Anak Krakatau. Until today September 9, 2026, joint search teams still conduct operation to find them.

Sandi Wiasa, the owner of the boat carrying a group of journalists to cover the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau, has confirmed that the vessel was seaworthy. The boat was equipped with the necessary documentation and life jackets when it departed from Pegedongan Pier in Carita, Banten, on Monday, September 7, 2026.

"The boat used was mine, it departed yesterday, shortly after 14:00 WIB, from Pegedongan Pier," Sandi said in a statement in Jakarta, as reported by Antara on Tuesday evening, September 8, 2026.

Sandi stated that Water conditions were normal at the time of departure and the boat was carrying eight people, which was within its capacity.

"It was seaworthy. The boat was fit to sail," Sandi said.

He also confirmed that the boat possessed the required permits and life jackets. "Regarding equipment and permits, we have them. We have the ship's papers, and we have life jackets," Sandi said.

According to Sandi, the first report that the boat could not be contacted came from the Carita Sector Police Chief around 13:00 WIB. He did not receive the information directly from the boat's captain.

The boat was also equipped with a portable Global Positioning System (GPS) unit, though Sandi did not know if the device could be used to track the boat's location.

Upon learning that contact with the boat had been lost, Sandi sought information by contacting relatives in the Sebesi Island area of Lampung and coordinating with the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas).

"Yes, I have contacted some of our relatives in the Sebesi, Lampung area. Thankfully, they are currently trying to assist in the search efforts alongside local fishermen," Sandi said.

Sandi noted that the journey from Carita to the Krakatau area typically takes about two hours. He also confirmed that the guide accompanying the group had sent a photo of the conditions at Mount Anak Krakatau to his wife.

"The guide still had it (the phone/device) with him," Sandi said.

According to him, the photo was sent approximately four hours after the boat departed from Carita and clearly showed the condition of Mount Anak Krakatau.

Sandi stated that the boat was positioned more than three kilometers away from the crater of Mount Anak Krakatau when the photo was taken.

According to a report from the Banten Search and Rescue (SAR) Office, the speedboat carrying the group of journalists departed from Pagedongan Pier, Carita, at around 14:00 Western Indonesia Time on Monday, September 7, 2026, to cover the activity of Mount Anak Krakatau.

The last recorded communication shows the victim sharing their current location with a fellow journalist in Lampung at 14:42 WIB, before contact was lost at 15:04 WIB at the estimated coordinates 6°14'40.52"S 105°40'49.48"E.

Banten SAR Office Head Al Amrad stated that during the search operation, which lasted until 18:15 WIB, the team managed to reach as far as Krakatau Island and Panjang Island; however, no results were found.

The search operation is scheduled to resume on the morning of Wednesday, September 9, 2026. The Banten SAR Office is deploying the KN SAR Tatuka and the Banten Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) -,equipped with aerial, medical, and communication SAR gear,- in collaboration with the Banten Regional Police's Water and Air Police Unit (Polairud).

"For tomorrow's plan, we will expand the search area, as today we studied the route from Carita to Mount Anak Krakatau," said Al Amrad.

Preliminary data from Basarnas (National Search and Rescue Agency) indicates there are seven individuals currently being searched for, including photojournalist M. Bagus Khoirunnas (LKBN ANTARA), Ari Basuki (Merdeka journalist), Yudhis (iNews journalist), Daus (Anadolu journalist), Donal (freelance journalist), and two others whose details are still being verified.