Pandeglang, en.SERU.co.id – Combined SAR teams have expanded the search for eight people missing after their speed boat lost contact in the waters of the Sunda Strait, Pandeglang, Banten. Entering the second day, seven Search and Rescue Units (SRUs) were deployed across several sectors, yet the search remains unsuccessful. The operation also faces challenges from Mount Anak Krakatau’s activity, which is releasing fairly thick volcanic ash.
Head of the Banten Search and Rescue Office, Al Amrad SSos, said all available SAR resources and assets have been mobilized to speed up the discovery of the eight people. The search area has also been widened by dividing teams into several sectors.
“On this second day we are expanding the search area by dividing the teams into several SRUs across a number of sectors. We are optimizing all assets and elements involved to find the eight people still being searched for,” Amrad said on Wednesday (9/9/2026).
The sweeps were carried out using several ships and rubber boats. KN SAR Tetuka 247 operated the search in Sector 2 covering a distance of about 68.3 nautical miles (NM). Meanwhile, KAL Anyer swept the same sector for 69.5 NM.
In Sector 1, RIB 02 and RIB 03 Lampung conducted sweeps totaling about 67 NM. The teams monitored the waters around Sebesi Island, Sebuku Island and the Krakatau area.
Additional searches were carried out by RIB 02 Banten around Rakata Island and Panjang Island. KP Sanjaya swept Sector 4 covering about 67.3 NM. Meanwhile, KRI Leuser and KRI Lepu conducted searches according to their assigned sectors.
Several SRUs also carried out visual monitoring around Mount Anak Krakatau and Rakata Besar. However, until the afternoon no signs of the eight missing people had been found.
Mount Anak Krakatau Releases Volcanic Ash
The search operation also faces challenges from the activity of Mount Anak Krakatau. At 1.31 p.m. WIB, SRU 1 using KN SAR Tetuka 247 continued the search based on SAR Map coordinates. The mountain was observed releasing fairly thick volcanic ash material.
“We are also monitoring the activity of Mount Anak Krakatau. When fairly thick volcanic ash material was visible, we continued to consider safety factors for all personnel. The search will keep being carried out while adjusting to conditions in the field,” he said.
Until 3.22 p.m. WIB, SRU 5 using KP Sanjaya was still conducting sweeps based on SAR Map coordinates. However, the team had not found any signs of the victims.
The eight people still being sought consist of Warta (55) as the boat captain, Surakman (60) as a crew member and Heriyanto (49) as a guide. The other five are journalists: M. Bagus Khoirunnas from Antara, Ari Basuki from Merdeka, Yudhis from iNews, Daus from Anadolu and Donal, a freelance journalist.
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The second-day SAR operation involved elements from the Banten and Lampung Search and Rescue Offices. Also participating were USS Pandeglang, USS Merak, the TNI, Polri, BPBD, KSOP, SAR potential, media, the victims’ families, fishermen and the community.
“Until now the search results are still nil. We are not stopping the search efforts. Every development in the field will continue to be evaluated to determine the next strategy. We hope the eight people still being searched for can be found soon,” he said.
Until the end of SAR Operation Day 2, the eight people are still declared missing. The Combined SAR Team will continue the search operation according to evaluation results and the latest situation in the Sunda Strait waters. (aan/mzm)
