We have deployed a dedicated team to ensure communication lines with search teams remain uninterrupted,
Jakarta (ANTARA) – ANTARA News Agency is intensifying coordination with the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), the Banten Regional Police and joint search teams to locate five photojournalists who lost contact while covering the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau in the Sunda Strait, Banten.
The missing crew members are Muhammad Bagus Khoirunas (ANTARA News Agency), Arie Basuki (merdeka.com), Yudhistira (iNews), Daus (Anadolu Agency) and freelance photographer Donal Husni.
As of Tuesday evening (September 8), authorities had received no signals or communication from the group.
In response to the crisis, ANTARA has dispatched a specialized emergency response team from its Jakarta headquarters to reinforce its local Banten bureau and maintain continuous communication with rescue personnel.
“We are urging officials to intensify the search for the group. We have deployed a dedicated team to ensure communication lines with search teams remain uninterrupted,” ANTARA President Director Benny Siga Butarbutar said here on Tuesday.
Editorial records show the team had been deployed to cover the volcanic activity at Mount Anak Krakatau in the Sunda Strait waters since Monday (September 7). As of Tuesday evening, no contact had been established with any member of the group.
To streamline information and curb unverified rumors, ANTARA, iNews and merdeka.com have established a joint media command post to issue updates based strictly on verified reports from search authorities.
ANTARA urges the public and news organizations to refrain from speculation while rescue operations remain active.
Banten Regional Police Chief Inspector General Hengki confirmed that joint operations involving the Water and Air Police (Polairud), Basarnas and the Indonesian Military (TNI) have been underway since the initial report was received.
However, rescue operations in the Sunda Strait face severe environmental challenges, including high ocean waves and limited visibility around the volcanic site.
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Translator: Devi Nindy Sari Ramadhan, Yashinta Difa
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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