[REVISION HISTORY]

Search ends for missing journalists near Anak Krakatau

Updated 138 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-23 13:06 UTC → 2026-09-24 09:09 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Indonesian authorities have officially terminated the search and rescue operation for eight people missing in the Sunda Strait. The group, consisting of five journalists and three crew members aboard the speedboat KM Arupadatu I, went missing on September 7, 2026, while reporting on the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau. After 10 days of intensive searching across 8,509 square nautical miles, no trace of the vessel or its passengers was located. Although 13 floating objects were recovered, they were verified as unrelated to the missing boat. The operation, involving 523 personnel and 24 vessels, concluded on September 17, 2026. Following the cessation of official efforts, the Indonesian Press Photo Society (PFI) and local families have pursued independent search initiatives, coordinating with local fishermen to scan the waters. Meanwhile, media organizations and the Press Council have held solidarity events and prayer services to honor the missing reporters, who include staff from Antara, Merdeka.com, iNews Media Group, and Anadolu Agency. initiatives. On September 22, 2026, authorities confirmed that a body found on Enggano Island on September 12 was Surakhman, a 60-year-old crew member of the KM Arupadatu I. The identification was finalized through DNA testing conducted by the Polri Disaster Victim Investigation team, matching the remains with DNA from Surakhman’s son. ~~In response~~ His remains were subsequently transported from Bengkulu to Jakarta for return to his family in Pandeglang. In light of this discovery, the ~~loss, ANTARA News~~ PFI has ~~dedicated a meeting room at its Banten bureau~~ urged the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) to ~~honor~~ resume operations, suggesting the ~~work~~ find provides a “critical new lead” regarding the vessel’s location and the status of the remaining seven missing ~~photojournalist M. Bagus Khoirunas.~~ individuals. Mount Anak Krakatau remains at Level III (Siaga) alert ~~status due to continuous microtremors, with seismographic data indicating ongoing magma~~ status. The Center for Volcanology and ~~gas movement beneath~~ Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) reported that recent eruptions have resulted in the ~~crater.~~ emergence of approximately 32.8 hectares of new land between the volcano and Sertung Island.

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