Community Holds Prayer Vigil for Journalists Missing Near Anak Krakatau

September 11, 2026 | 11:04 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Photojournalist Association (PFI) Yogyakarta branch held a candlelight and prayer vigil for the missing five journalists and three speedboat crew members who lost contact in the Sunda Strait while covering the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau in Yogyakarta City on Friday evening, September 11, 2026.

The five missing journalists are M Bagus Khoirunnas (Antara), Ari Basuki (Merdeka.com), Yudistiro Pranoto/Yudhis (iNews), Firdaus Wajidi/Daus (Anadolu), and Donal Husni (freelance journalists). 

PFI Yogyakarta Chair Andreas Fitri stated that the prayer vigil was also conducted for three crew members of the Arupadhatu 1 speedboat: boat captain Warta (55), crew member Surakman (60), and a guide, Heriyanto (49).

Andreas stated that members of PFI Yogyakarta continue to hope that the five journalists could be found safe and sound.

"We have gathered today to pray together, asking for the speedy recovery of our five colleagues. We hope that the search today and beyond will bring good news, and most importantly, that they will all be found safe," said Andre.

According to Andre, this situation is yet another reminder that on-the-ground journalistic work carries unpredictable risks, which calls for solidarity among journalists. 

"We want to show that they are not alone. There are families, fellow journalists, and the press community who continue to wait and pray for them. We also offer support to the families, who are going through a rough situation," he said.

PFI appreciates those involved in the search process and hopes that the search operation will continue smoothly. Entering the fourth day, search efforts were still ongoing, as rescuers comb the small islands surrounding Mount Anak Krakatau.

Rescuers Find Life Jacket

On the fourth day of the search operation, joint personnel from the Anyer Navy Vessel found another orange life jacket.

Indonesian Navy Information Service Chief Rear Admiral Tunggul said the life jacket was found floating in the waters off Anyer. "It was only three miles from the first one," he said in a statement on Friday, September 11, 2026.

The day before, the rescuers also found an unmarked life jacket. Tunggul said the second life jacket had been taken to the post for identification. "The Indonesian Navy and the search and rescue team are not making any speculations as of now," he said.

Tunggul explained that the two buoys found in Anyer waters are not yet connected to the five journalists and three crew members of the missing speedboat.

"The team will continue to search the waters suspected to be where the journalists lost contact while covering the activity of Mount Anak Krakatau," Tunggul said.

On the fourth day of operations, the joint team expanded the search area into four main sectors and one special sector, with a total area of 3,243.7 square nautical miles.

Al Amrad, Head of the Banten Search and Rescue Office, said the team deployed several vessels to search the sea route and two thermal drones to search the air route. "We are optimizing all available resources to find the eight people still missing," Amrad said in a statement on Friday, September 11, 2026.

Novali Nugroho contributed to the writing of this article.

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