The Polda Metro Jaya held a joint prayer for the eight individuals who went missing while covering the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau.

progresifjaya.co.id, JAKARTA – The Polda Metro Jaya held Friday prayers and a joint prayer session for eight individuals who went missing while covering the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau. Five of the eight missing persons are journalists.

The joint prayer took place after the Friday prayer service—led by Ustaz Jauhauri Akbar—at the General Criminal Investigation Directorate Hall of the Polda Metro Jaya headquarters in South Jakarta on Friday, September 11, 2026.

Polda Metro Jaya Head of Public Relations, Kombes Pol Bhudi Hermanto stated, that the joint prayer initiative was led by the Director of General Criminal Investigation, Kombes Pol Iman Imanuddin.

“We are praying together that the eight individuals—comprising five fellow journalists and three crew members—will soon be found safe and sound,” said Kombes Pol Bhudi.

He noted, that various parties are currently engaged in search efforts, including the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Search and Rescue (SAR) teams, the Naval Base (Lanal), and the Polda of Banten.

Polda Metro Jaya Director of General Criminal Investigation, Kombes Pol Iman Imanuddin expressed hope, that the joint prayer would help ensure the eight missing individuals are found safe and healthy.

“We hope that the prayers we offer to Allah SWT serve as a plea to help our brothers and sisters be found soon,” said Kombes Pol Iman.

“It is our collective hope that those who are currently missing will soon be found safe and healthy,” he added.

Kombes Pol Iman also prayed for the families of the eight missing individuals, asking that they be granted patience and strength in enduring this ordeal and tragedy.

The prayers also sought divine assistance regarding the calamity they are facing.

“That is all, colleagues. We share this concern, we pray together, and we strengthen one another,” he explained.

Entering the fourth day, the Banten Search and Rescue Office, together with the Joint SAR Team, is continuing the search operation for eight individuals reported missing after the speedboat they were traveling in lost contact in the waters of the Sunda Strait, Pandeglang Regency, Banten.

On Day 4 of the operation, the search area has been expanded to encompass four main sectors and one special sector, covering a total area of ​​approximately 3.243,7 square nautical miles.

The search covers a wider expanse of waters around the Sunda Strait, utilizing various vessels and SAR assets.

Deployed assets include KN SAR Tetuka 247, KN SAR Basudewa, KRI Leuser, KRI Karambit, KRI Lepu, KP Sanjaya, KP Hayabusa, KAL Anyer, KAL Pahawang, RIB 02 Banten, RIB 02 Lampung, RBB Pulau Peucang, and TB Gunung Santri.

The operation is further bolstered by two thermal drone units, as well as various land-based assets and other support equipment.

The Head of the Banten Search and Rescue Office, Al Amrad stated, that the expansion of the search area was based on evaluations of previous operations and the evolving situation on the ground.

“Entering the fourth day, we are expanding the search area by dividing the region into several sectors, including a special sector around the area of ​​particular interest. We are optimizing all available personnel and assets to locate the eight individuals who are still missing,” said Al Amrad.

The operation involves personnel from Basarnas (National Search and Rescue Agency), the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL), the Polri, BPBD (Regional Disaster Management Agency), SAR potential groups, local government, medical and psychological personnel, Tagana, Baznas, Rumah Zakat, as well as community members and volunteers.

Weather conditions in the operational area are forecast to range from partly cloudy to cloudy, with winds blowing from the southeast to the south at speeds of 10–20 knots and wave heights ranging from 0,5 to 2,5 meters.

“We continue to prioritize safety in every team movement. We are constantly monitoring weather and wave conditions, while the search is being conducted in a coordinated and maximum effort across all designated sectors,” he explained.

The eight individuals still being sought are Warta (55), the boat captain; Surakman (60), a crew member; Heriyanto (49), a guide; M. Bagus Khoirunnas (28), an Antara journalist; Ari Basuki (52), a Merdeka journalist; Yudhis, an iNews journalist; Daus (42), an Anadolu journalist; and Donal, a freelance journalist. (Bembo)