Jakarta, ThedailyID — A joint search and rescue team is looking for eight people after a speedboat lost contact in the Sunda Strait, Pandeglang, Banten.
The speedboat was carrying five journalists who planned to cover the Anak Krakatau eruption. Two crew members and a guide were also on board.
The eight people remain missing as the SAR team searches several areas around the Sunda Strait. The search includes waters near Panjang Island and Rakata Island.
Banten Search and Rescue Office head Al Amrad said the team began the operation after receiving the missing boat report.
“After receiving the report, the Pandeglang SAR standby rescue team moved to the incident location at around 2:15 p.m.,” Al Amrad said on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.
The team then searched toward Krakatau and other areas where the speedboat could have been located. However, rescuers found no signs of the boat or the eight people.
The missing people include captain Warta, 55, crew member Surakman, 60, and guide Heriyanto, 49.
The five journalists are M. Bagus Khoirunnas, Ari Basuki, Yudhis, Daus and Donal. They work for several media organizations.
Later that afternoon, the KN SAR Tetuka 247 joined the search from BBJ Port. The vessel conducted visual searches along the designated route.
The vessel reached the waters around Sangiang Island at about 9:05 p.m. However, strong currents prevented the crew from dropping anchor.
The vessel then continued toward Ciwandan Port while maintaining visual monitoring. The search again produced no results.
KN SAR Tetuka 247 arrived safely at Ciwandan Port at 10:12 p.m. The joint SAR team then held a debriefing at 10:46 p.m.
Following the evaluation, the team decided to continue the search on Wednesday, September 9, 2026. Rescuers will expand the search area based on field conditions and the latest evaluation.
Several agencies and community groups joined the first day of the operation. They included SAR personnel, the Banten Police Water and Air Unit, the Indonesian Navy, local police, Satpol PP, village security personnel, local government teams, Balawista, fishermen and residents.
The operation also used KN SAR Tetuka 247, RIB 02 Banten, a rescue car, a personnel truck and a thermal drone. Teams also brought water rescue, medical and communication equipment.
The first day ended without finding the missing speedboat or its passengers. The joint SAR team will continue the search while monitoring conditions around the Sunda Strait.
