INDOPOSCO.ID – Five journalists covering the eruption of Anak Krakatau Volcano remained out of contact as of Saturday (Sept. 12, 2026), highlighting the importance of ensuring the protection and safety of journalists while working in the field.
Secretary-General of the Coalition of Election and Democracy Journalists (KPP DEM) Nopri Agustian stressed that journalists’ safety while reporting in the field must be a shared concern.
“Journalists work to deliver information to the public and are often required to operate in high-risk environments. Therefore, journalists’ safety must be a shared concern involving media companies, professional organizations, the government and other relevant stakeholders,” Nopri Agustian said in a statement issued in Jakarta on Saturday (Sept. 12, 2026).
A total of eight people remain listed as missing and are still being sought. They are Warta, 55, the vessel’s captain; Surakman, 60, a crew member; Heriyanto, 49, a guide; and five journalists: M. Bagus Khoirunnas of Antara, Ari Basuki of Merdeka, Yudhis of iNews, Daus of Anadolu, and Donal, a freelance journalist.
KPP DEM also called on the public, members of the press, professional organizations and various communities to provide moral support and pray for the five journalists to be found safe and in good health.
“We urge everyone to join us in praying for our fellow journalists who are still missing. May all efforts being made in the field bring good news, and may they soon return safely to their families,” Nopri said.
KPP DEM Chairman Achmad Satrio expressed hope that the search efforts being carried out by the government and the joint SAR team would soon bring good news to the families, colleagues and press community members who are still awaiting certainty about their whereabouts.
“We appreciate the government, Basarnas, the Water and Air Police Directorate of the Banten Regional Police, the Indonesian Military and National Police, as well as all elements of the joint SAR team who continue to conduct the search. The government’s presence in a situation like this means a great deal to the families and the press community who are waiting for news,” Satrio said.
According to a chronology released by the Indonesian Photojournalists Association (PFI), citing a Basarnas report, the group departed by speedboat from Pagedongan Pier in Carita on Monday (Sept. 7, 2026), at around 2 p.m. local time (WIB).
The last communication with the group was recorded at 2:42 p.m. At the time, one of the journalists sent their last known location to a fellow PFI member in Lampung. The last known position was between Carita and Anak Krakatau Volcano. The group was subsequently declared completely out of contact at 6:13 p.m. local time. (dan)
