INDOPOSCO.ID – Entering the fifth day of the search operation for a group of crew members and media personnel who lost contact in the waters around Anak Krakatau Volcano (GAK) in the Sunda Strait, the Banten Regional Police, together with a joint SAR team, resumed their search on Saturday (Sept. 12, 2026).
The fifth-day search operation was carried out using the KP Sanjaya patrol vessel, departing from Pelindo Ciwandan Port toward the waters around Sertung Island. The vessel traveled approximately 40 nautical miles, with the total round trip covering around 80 nautical miles.
Banten Police Chief Insp. Gen. Hengki said the fifth day of the search focused on monitoring the waters around Sertung Island, including areas near the location where the group was last known to have lost contact.
“This morning, we are conducting the fifth day of the search. From Ciwandan Port, we are heading toward Sertung Island, approximately 40 nautical miles away. The total round trip will be around 80 nautical miles,” he said.
Insp. Gen. Hengki explained that search personnel would not land on Sertung Island due to safety considerations and the current status of Anak Krakatau Volcano, which remains at Level III, or Alert.
“We are generally monitoring the situation in the surrounding waters. We are also anticipating the possibility of finding objects or ship debris and coordinating with fishermen operating in the area,” he said.
Regarding the condition of Anak Krakatau Volcano, the Banten Regional Police continue to follow the directives of the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG). With the volcano at Level III, or Alert status, search operations are being conducted while observing the safety perimeter of at least three kilometers from the active crater.
“The area remains a hazardous zone. We are following the PVMBG’s directives regarding the Level III, or Alert, status. Therefore, we must comply with the three-kilometer safety radius,” he said.
Regarding the discovery of two life jackets in recent days, the Banten Police chief said that, based on inspections and confirmation from the vessel’s owner, the items were confirmed not to be safety equipment belonging to KM Arupadatu 1.
“For the first discovery, there was one life jacket and a white flotation device. After we confirmed with the vessel’s owner, Mr. Sandi Wiarsa, they were not among the safety equipment carried by Arupadatu 1. Likewise, the life jacket found on the fourth day has also been confirmed not to belong to the vessel,” he said.
Insp. Gen. Hengki said the division of search sectors on the fifth day continued to be coordinated by the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), together with all elements of the joint SAR team.
“The search sectors have been arranged by Basarnas. Several sectors and vessels are operating according to their assigned tasks, including the Indonesian Navy, Basarnas and traditional fishermen. The search pattern continues to be evaluated jointly, taking into account the situation, weather conditions, safety considerations and the latest information obtained during the operation,” he said.
At the end of his statement, the Banten Police chief expressed hope that the whereabouts of the missing group would soon be determined and that they would be found safe.
“We hope that the search operation on this fifth day will produce results. Most importantly, we hope they will be found safe. We all continue to pray for that,” he concluded. (yas)
