Five journalists and three crew members remain missing after their speedboat lost contact in the Sunda Strait on September 7, 2026, while traveling to report on an eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau.
The journey began when a charter boat left Pagedongan Pier in Carita, Pandeglang Regency, Banten, around 2:00 PM local time. The group had gathered in the coastal area before heading out toward the active volcanic island.
The manifest onboard included five reporters from various news organizations alongside a captain, a crew member, and a local tour guide. Authorities and families realized the vessel was in trouble when communication abruptly ceased shortly after departure.
According to reports from the National Search and Rescue Agency and professional press organizations, the eight individuals aboard the speedboat span multiple national media outlets and independent agencies.
- M. Bagus Khoirunnas, photojournalist for the state news agency Antara.
- Ari Basuki, photojournalist for Merdeka.com.
- Yudistiro Pranoto, photojournalist for iNews.id.
- Firman Daus (also cited as Firdaus Wajidi), journalist for Anadolu Agency.
- Donal Husni, freelance photojournalist.
- Warta, boat captain.
- Sukarman, ship crew member (ABK).
- Heriyanto, local tour guide.
The professional community has mobilized in response to the disappearance.
Timeline of Final Communications and Last Known Locations
Official incident logs trace the vessel’s movements through a sequence of digital check-ins before its signal vanished in the Sunda Strait. At 2:42 PM on Monday, September 7, one of the journalists sent a digital location pin via smartphone to a colleague in Lampung, indicating the boat was positioned between Carita and the volcano, as documented in official SAR chronology reports.
Hours later, the onboard guide managed to transmit a photograph of the volcanic peak to a messaging group.
I suspect this photo was taken around 4 to 5 o’clock. Then it was sent when suddenly the mobile phone had a signal. Yandi, fellow tour guide, via Detik Travel
That message arrived at 6:13 PM, showing Mount Anak Krakatau emitting white smoke with no other landmass obstructing the frame. Tour operators familiar with the waters believe the image was captured near Sertung Island. Subsequent attempts by associates to message the guide directly resulted in single-tick delivery failures.
Presidential Directives and Joint Marine Search Operations
Following reports of the missing boat, Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya confirmed that President Prabowo Subianto intervened directly on Monday night.
Since the group of 5 journalists and 3 ship crew were reported missing, since Monday night President Prabowo has indeed directly instructed the Navy Chief of Staff to immediately carry out a search, that very day the Indonesian Navy directly sent its ships. Teddy Indra Wijaya, Cabinet Secretary, via Detik
The Indonesian Navy deployed multiple warships and rigid-hull inflatable boats to comb the area. Search coordinators enlisted a joint fleet of 11 vessels to sweep the waters around Krakatau Island, Panjang Island, and Rakata Island.
| Vessel Name | Classification / Agency |
|---|---|
| KRI Leuser-924 | Indonesian Navy Warship |
| KRI Kerambit-627 | Indonesian Navy Warship |
| KRI Lepu-861 | Indonesian Navy Warship |
| KAL Anyer 1-3-64 and KAL Pohawang 1-3-30 | Indonesian Navy Patrol Craft |
| KN SAR Tetuka-247 and KN SAR Basudewa-224 | Basarnas Rescue Vessels |
| KP Sanjaya-7017 | Marine Police (Polairud) Vessel |
Search efforts have faced natural obstacles.
Unresolved Questions and Ongoing Search Focus
As family members maintain a vigil at the Marina Carita SAR Post, questions remain regarding the vessel’s precise movements after dark on Monday. Desi, wife of Antara journalist Bagus Khoirunnas, noted that her husband had previously discussed the possibility of stepping ashore on Sertung Island if conditions permitted, though local guides advised caution given the high alert level of the volcano.
Meanwhile, the vehicle used by the reporters remains parked outside their Carita hotel alongside uncollected luggage. Rescue units continue expanding their offshore grids as authorities await further developments from the ongoing maritime sweep.
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