PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - Bandung Mayor Muhammad Farhan invited the public to pray for the safety of five journalists and three crew members who lost contact.

The eight people disappeared while carrying out a reporting assignment on the volcanic activity of Mount Anak Krakatau in the waters of the Sunda Strait, Pandeglang Regency.

Farhan expressed his concern over the disaster when met in Bandung, Friday, September 11, 2026.

"Several of our friends, five journalists and three crew members covering Anak Krakatau, are still missing, and today is the fourth day. Of course, we are deeply saddened," said Farhan.

According to Farhan, journalists carry out the important task of conveying information to the public, including in high-risk situations.

Therefore, he invited all citizens to pray that the journalists and crew would be found safe and sound.

"Let us pray that the three crew members and five journalists will be found soon, God willing, safe and sound. Let us pray together that the bereaved families will remain steadfast, strong, and devout," he said.

Farhan also expressed his appreciation to the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) and all joint search and rescue elements who continued the search.

According to him, the search involved personnel and a fleet that was deployed to comb the waters of the Sunda Strait.

He assessed that the involvement of Basarnas, TNI, Polri, local government, and various supporting elements demonstrated commitment to finding the journalists and ship's crew.

During the search, Basarnas deployed 13 ships divided into four sectors to expand the search area.

Head of the Banten SAR Office, Al Amrad, said the fleet deployed included KRI Kerambit 627, KN SAR Tetuka, KP Hayabusa, KN SAR Basudewa, and KRI Leuser 924.

The other fleets are KAL Anyer, KP Sanjaya, RIB 02 Banten, RBB P Peucang, RIB Lampung, KAL Pahowang, TB Gunung Santri, and KRI Lepu.

The five journalists who lost contact were Antara photojournalist Muhammad Bagus Khoirunas, Arie Basuki from merdeka.com, and freelance photographer Donal Husni.

The other two journalists are Yudhistira from iNews and Daus from Anadolu.

They were reported to have lost contact since Monday (7/9/2026) while traveling to the waters of the Sunda Strait to cover the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau.

On the journey, they were with three crew members whose whereabouts are still unknown.

Farhan hopes that the ongoing search operation will soon yield results so that all victims can be found and reunited with their families.

He also invited the public to provide moral support through prayers for the victims, their families, and all search and rescue teams still working in the field.

(Bandung City Communications and Information Service/bhf)