Eight people, including five journalists, are missing in the Sunda Strait after a speedboat travelled towards Indonesia’s erupting Mount Anak Krakatau, prompting a search involving national rescue teams, police and navy personnel.
The group left the Carita area on Java at about 2pm local time on Monday, September 7, as ash from the volcano disrupted flights across Indonesia. Their last known position was about 18.5km from the shore, according to the Associated Press.
Indonesia’s search-and-rescue agency, Basarnas, said contact with the boat was lost at 2.42pm, when it was believed to be roughly halfway between its departure point and the volcano. A relative later received a message from one of those aboard at 6.13pm, saying the group had reached waters near Anak Krakatau. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/7f8f4dfeec180a7847a75683f0f6d26f))
The missing journalists have been identified as Muhammad Bagus Khoirunas of the state news agency Antara, Arie Basuki of Merdeka.com, Yudistiro Pranoto of iNews, Daus of Turkey’s Anadolu Agency and freelance photographer Donal Husni.
Colleagues attempting to reach Mr Husni said his phone appeared to remain active at about 3pm, although he did not answer. The other people aboard are understood to include two members of the boat crew and a guide.
Basarnas resumed its operation at 7am on Wednesday, deploying two boats to search the waters around Carita, Anak Krakatau and nearby islands. Police and other agencies have also joined the effort, while poor visibility, strong winds and rough seas have complicated the operation. ([kbknews.id](https://www.kbknews.id/lima-wartawan-hilang-kontak-saat-liputan-erupsi-anak-krakatau-sar-kerahkan-drone-termal/))
Rescuers have prepared thermal drones to extend the search from the air. A helicopter or aircraft had not been deployed because volcanic ash remained in the area, according to the Banten search operation coordinator. ([kbknews.id](https://www.kbknews.id/lima-wartawan-hilang-kontak-saat-liputan-erupsi-anak-krakatau-sar-kerahkan-drone-termal/))
Antara president Benny Siga Butarbutar said the agency had deployed a dedicated team to maintain communication with the search authorities and urged officials to intensify the operation.
Mount Anak Krakatau, meaning “child of Krakatau”, has continued to erupt intermittently, sending ash, lava and incandescent material from its crater. Authorities have advised residents, tourists and fishermen to remain at least 3km from the active crater.
The eruption forced airport closures on Sunday and Monday, disrupting almost 2,961 flights, including 622 international services, and affecting about 341,000 passengers. Schools in areas affected by ash were also permitted to switch temporarily to online learning. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/7f8f4dfeec180a7847a75683f0f6d26f))
Anak Krakatau rose from the remains of the volcano destroyed in the catastrophic 1883 eruption. Activity from the island in 2018 triggered a tsunami that killed at least 430 people on Java and Sumatra.
