Timeline of Five Photojournalists Missing in Waters off Anak Krakatau

Five journalists disappeared after setting out by speedboat from Pagedongan Pier in Carita, Banten, toward the waters around Anak Krakatau. The group left at about 2 p.m. on September 7, according to the official chronology from Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency, or Basarnas.

About 42 minutes later, one member of the group sent a final location update to fellow Indonesian Photojournalists Association member Putra M. Akbar, who was in Lampung. The shared location placed the boat between Carita and Anak Krakatau. That was the last recorded communication. At 6:13 p.m., the group was declared completely out of contact, and a search began for the journalists and the boat crew listed on the manifest.

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The safety of fellow journalists in the field is the highest priority and cannot be compromised.

The journalists were M. Bagus Khoirunnas of Antara, Ari Basuki of Merdeka.com, Yudistiro Pranoto of iNews.id, Firman Daus of Anadolu Agency, and freelance journalist Donal. Their disappearance has prompted coordination among the central, Jakarta and Tangerang branches of the Indonesian Photojournalists Association, which said it remained on full alert and was working with the relevant authorities.

The search is taking place in the Sunda Strait amid volcanic ash from the eruption of Anak Krakatau and reportedly high, changing waves. Basarnas and joint rescue teams, including the Banten Police’s marine and air patrol unit, have been deployed. PFI Central Chair Dwi Pambudo said the safety of the journalists and crew was the top priority. "The safety of fellow journalists in the field is the highest priority and cannot be compromised," he said. PFI said it hoped all the journalists would be found safe and in good health.

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We hope all the journalists can soon be found healthy and safe, without anything missing.