September 9, 2026 | 07:54 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's Banten Search and Rescue (SAR) Office is preparing two thermal drones to assist in the search for a group of journalists who lost contact after departing via speedboat from Pegedongan Pier, Carita, Pandeglang Regency, Banten, heading toward Mount Anak Krakatau.
SAR Operations Coordinator Rizky Dwianto stated that the search would resume once conditions permit, utilizing a combined fleet and personnel.
"We are ready to resume the search at 07:00 WIB (Western Indonesian Time)," Rizky said in a video statement monitored in Jakarta on Tuesday evening.
Rizky added that aerial searches using helicopters or airplanes are not yet feasible due to the ongoing spread of volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau.
As an alternative, two thermal drones stationed on the KN SAR Tetuka vessel will be used to assist the search around Mount Anak Krakatau.
"We have equipped the KN SAR Tetuka with drones. We plan to fly them near Mount Anak Krakatau to conduct an aerial search using thermal drone technology," he said.
According to him, the search had previously been conducted using the KN SAR Tetuka until around 22:00, after which the vessel docked at Ciwandan Port, Cilegon. This decision was made because sea conditions and visibility were unfavorable for a night search.
"Sea conditions were quite rough, and visibility was limited. So, we docked for the sake of effectiveness and safety," he said.
Rizky noted that the search operation involves two speedboats, the RIB 02 Banten, the KN SAR Tetuka, and an RIB from Lampung. The team is also coordinating with various parties to anticipate the possibility that the boat might have docked at small islands or unmonitored piers.
"We are coordinating with relevant parties regarding the possibility that the boat docked at small islands or piers that are not under surveillance," he said.
Information regarding the journalists' possible presence on Sebesi Island is still being verified and has not yet been confirmed.
The SAR team will also enlist local fishermen to bolster the search operation. According to data from the Banten Search and Rescue (SAR) Office's operation command post, the deployed assets comprise five primary units from various agencies, all of which are in a state of readiness for immediate deployment.
These assets include the KN SAR Tetuka vessel and RIB 02 Banten from Basarnas Banten, the RIB Lampung from Basarnas Lampung, the KAL Anyer from the Banten Naval Base (Lanal), and an ambulance from FBN Banten. This entire fleet of marine and land vehicles has been placed on standby in a coordinated manner to ensure the smooth execution of field operations.
Meanwhile, the SAR resources deployed involve a joint force comprising 16 agencies and community groups, representing a substantial total personnel strength. These elements include USS Pandeglang (6 personnel), Banten SAR Office (6), KN SAR Tetuka crew (8), Carita Sector Police (5), Banten Regional Police Water and Air Police Directorate/Ditpolairud (5), Sumur/Labuan Naval Post (2), National Police Headquarters Water and Air Police Directorate (2), Carita Village Military NCO/Babinsa (1), Public Order Agency/Satpol PP (1), the Head of Sukajadi Village (1), Banten SAR Volunteers/Potsar (7), Balawista Lifeguards (50), Carita District administration (5), local media (7), as well as participating local fishermen and community members.
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