Jakarta, ThedailyID — Indonesia’s search and rescue team has expanded its operation for eight people who went missing while traveling toward Mount Anak Krakatau.
The search entered its sixth day on Sunday, September 13. Meanwhile, Basarnas expanded the operation across 6,010 square nautical miles of the Sunda Strait.
Banten Search and Rescue Office Chief Al Amrad said the teams continue to focus on finding the missing group.
“Entering the sixth day of the SAR operation, we and all joint SAR elements are working to optimize the search for the eight people who remain missing,” Al Amrad said on Sunday, September 13.
The operation covers land, sea and air areas. For the aerial search, Basarnas deployed HR 3604 helicopter with support from two thermal drones.
In addition, the operation involves Basarnas Banten, Basarnas operations and communications teams, the Basarnas Special Group, the Indonesian military and police.
The Banten Naval Base, regional disaster agency, National Disaster Management Agency and Social Affairs Agency have also joined the search.
To cover the large area, the joint SAR team divided the operation into six sectors.
Sector V covers 840 square nautical miles and involves KRI Kerambit and KRI Teluk Gilimanuk. Sector W covers 1,120 square nautical miles and uses KAL Anyer.
Meanwhile, Sector Z covers 809 square nautical miles. KN SAR Basudewa and KN SAR Antasena are searching the area.
Sector Y covers 497 square nautical miles and involves KP Sanjaya and KRI Lepu. Sector X covers 681 square nautical miles and includes several SAR vessels and patrol boats.
The largest sector is H, covering 2,063 square nautical miles. HR 3604 provides aerial support for the search in that area.
According to Al Amrad, the team will adjust its strategy based on conditions in the field.
“We urge all elements involved to pay close attention to weather conditions and safety during the operation. We also hope the public can provide information if they see signs of the missing vessel or victims,” he said on September 13.
The incident began on Monday, September 7. Five journalists and three boat crew members left Pagedongan Pier in Carita, Pandeglang, Banten, at around 2 p.m.
They traveled by speedboat toward Anak Krakatau to cover volcanic activity in the area.
The five journalists are Muhammad Bagus Khoirunas of ANTARA, Arie Basuki of Merdeka.com, Donal Husni, a freelance photographer, Yudhistira of iNews, and Daus of Anadolu.
The other three people aboard the boat were the captain, a crew member and a guide.
