5 journalists missing near Mount Anak Krakatau in Indonesia
EORA (SYDNEY): A speedboat carrying five media workers has been missing near Mount Anak Krakatau in Indonesia since September 7. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), along with its affiliates, expresses solidarity with the missing journalists and their families and calls for ongoing search and rescue efforts.
The media team left from Pagedongan Pier in Carita, Banten, around 2 pm on September 7 to cover the volcanic eruption. The last contact with the boat was at 6:13 pm when relatives were informed of their arrival in the waters near Anak Krakatau.
A search team from the Banten Search and Rescue Office (Basarnas), along with local police and military, began their search on September 8 but has not yet located the boat or made contact with the journalists.
Onboard were Antara photographer Muhammad Bagus Khoirunnas, Merdeka.com photographer Ari Basuki, iNews.id photographer Yudistiro Pranoto, Anadolu Agency videographer Firdaus Wadjidi and freelance journalist Donal Husni, alongside two crew members and a route guide. Since an eruption on September 4, the volcanic activity has caused heavy ashfall in the area.
Basarnas has stated that the search operation will continue for seven days following International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) guidelines. AJI expresses hope for the safe return of their friends and emphasizes the importance of protecting journalists who work in challenging conditions.