Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) has deployed two thermal‑drone units in a bid to locate five photojournalists who went missing after their speedboat vanished near the Anak Krakatau volcano on Wednesday morning. The vessel, which was carrying eight people, set out to document the volcano’s sudden eruption and the ensuing mud‑volcano formation, but lost contact shortly after entering the waters of the Sunda Strait.
Eruption and disappearance
An early‑morning eruption of Anak Krakatau was reported by local media on Wednesday, triggering ash plumes and a rapid rise in sea level that forced the formation of a new mud volcano on the island’s flank. Darilaut.id noted the eruption occurred at dawn, while Kompas.com cited a University of Gadjah Mada (UGM) lecturer who linked the event to a broader pattern of simultaneous activity across six Indonesian volcanoes.
According to several international outlets, including U.S. News & World Report and The Seattle Times, the missing persons are five Indonesian photojournalists who were traveling aboard a speedboat with three additional crew members. The boat’s disappearance was first reported by local news agency detikNews, which confirmed that eight people were on board and that the craft was deemed seaworthy by its owner, as later reiterated by Tempo.co English.
Search operation escalates
Basarnas announced that it will use two thermal‑imaging drones to assist maritime patrols and aerial units in scanning the search area for heat signatures that could indicate survivors or wreckage.
"Basarnas will deploy two thermal drones to search for the missing journalists," the agency said.The drones, equipped with infrared sensors, are intended to operate both day and night, complementing traditional ship‑based searches that have been hampered by poor visibility and strong currents.
The agency has also mobilised helicopters, surface vessels, and divers, while coordinating with the Indonesian navy and local authorities in the Banten province. Search efforts are expected to continue through the weekend, with officials warning that conditions may worsen if the volcano remains active.
Local and scientific context
Anak Krakatau, the youthful offspring of the famous Krakatau volcano that produced a catastrophic 1883 eruption, sits in the busy maritime corridor between Java and Sumatra. Its frequent activity poses risks not only to nearby communities but also to international shipping lanes. The recent eruption follows a series of tremors that have been recorded across Indonesia’s volcanic arc, a phenomenon that Kompas.com linked to tectonic stress in the region.
The disappearance of the journalists has sparked concern among press‑freedom advocates, who stress the importance of protecting media workers covering natural disasters. The Independent highlighted the incident as a reminder of the perils journalists face in volatile environments, while local media outlets have called for a thorough investigation into the safety protocols of news‑gathering missions near active volcanoes.
For Indonesia, the incident arrives at a politically sensitive time, as the government seeks to balance economic development—particularly tourism to the volcanic islands—with public safety. The high‑profile nature of the missing journalists has elevated the search to a national priority, drawing attention from the presidency and provincial leaders who have pledged full support to the rescue teams.
While no bodies have been recovered as of Thursday, Basarnas remains optimistic that the thermal‑drone technology will improve the chances of locating the missing crew. The agency has urged families of the journalists to await official updates and cautioned against speculation until the search is concluded.
