Eight people remain missing as rescuers widen search around Anak Krakatau.
A search operation is underway in the Sunda Strait for a speedboat carrying five journalists and three others who went missing while traveling to document Anak Krakatau’s volcanic activity.
Speedboat Disappears During Volcano Assignment
Eight people went missing after leaving Carita, Banten, on September 7, 2026, aboard a speedboat bound for waters near Anak Krakatau. The group consisted of five journalists, two crew members, and a guide who were traveling to photograph and film the volcano’s eruption. One journalist shared a location with a colleague at around 3 p.m., but communication with the group was subsequently lost and the boat did not return as planned.
Five Journalists Identified
Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs identified the missing journalists as M. Bagus Khoirunnas of Antara, Ari Basuki of Merdeka.com, Yudistiro Pranoto of iNews.id, Firman Daus of Anadolu Agency, and freelance journalist Donal Husni. The other three missing people are boat captain Warta, crew member Surakman, and guide Heriyanto. Communications Minister Meutya Hafid urged the public to rely on verified official information and avoid speculation about the group’s condition or location.
Search Expands Across Sunda Strait
As of the morning of September 10, the eight people remained missing and Basarnas had expanded the operation around the Sunda Strait. Search teams have deployed vessels from Basarnas, the Indonesian Navy, water police, local rescuers, volunteers, and fishermen. After covering southern waters around Anak Krakatau, authorities planned to focus more heavily on northern areas, adjusting the search according to ocean currents, wave movement, and wind direction.
Rough Seas Complicate Rescue Efforts
High waves and poor visibility have repeatedly complicated the operation, forcing rescuers to balance urgency with the safety of personnel at sea. Basarnas temporarily suspended searches after daylight operations before resuming them the following morning, while Indonesia’s communications ministry has worked with telecommunications operators to strengthen connectivity around the Sunda Strait and support rescue coordination.
Anak Krakatau Remains Closely Monitored
The disappearance came amid heightened activity at Anak Krakatau, whose eruption had disrupted air travel across parts of western Indonesia in the preceding days. Anak Krakatau remains under heightened monitoring, and authorities continue to enforce a three-kilometer exclusion zone around its active crater. Officials have also urged journalists and members of the public covering disasters to closely follow volcanic, maritime, and weather safety guidance.
The disappearance highlights the risks journalists can face while documenting natural disasters across Indonesia’s vast and hazardous maritime territory. For Indonesians, the ongoing operation has drawn attention to both journalist safety and emergency preparedness in volcanic zones. The case also matters to Singaporeans because Anak Krakatau’s recent activity has already disrupted regional aviation, demonstrating how developments in the Sunda Strait can quickly affect transportation, safety, and connectivity across neighboring countries.
Sources: Straits Times (2026) , CNA (2026)
Keywords: Missing Journalists Indonesia, Anak Krakatau Search, Sunda Strait Rescue, Basarnas Search Operation, Indonesia Volcano 2026, Journalists Missing At Sea
