SAR Team Finds Two Bodies After Merapi Cold Lava

RRI.CO.ID, Magelang - A massive joint Search and Rescue (SAR) operation involving specialized K9 units and multiple task forces has successfully recovered two more bodies from the debris-strewn Senowo River, in Magelang Regency, Central Java.

The discovery occurred on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, during the second day of intensive searching following a devastating cold lava flow on the slopes of Mount Merapi in Dukun, Magelang Regency.

As reported by Antara, the coordinated effort focused on navigating massive boulders and thick volcanic sediment that were swept down the mountain during Tuesday’s torrential rains.

Coordinator of the Borobudur SAR Alert Unit, Arif Yulianto, confirmed that the deceased have been identified as 25-year-old Heru Setyawan from Krinjing and 26-year-old Arif Fuad Hasan from Ngargosoko Srumbung. Their bodies were discovered wedged between large rocks, approximately three kilometers from the initial point of impact.

To maximize efficiency across the rugged terrain, the task force was divided into three distinct Search and Rescue Units (SRU), expanding the search radius to four kilometers. The first unit worked alongside the Magelang Police K9 unit, while the second and third units systematically scoured the riverbanks from the initial site down to various dam locations ending in the Bendo area.

"From the information we received, there were four victims reported missing.Thank God, today two victims have been found. The search for the other victims is still ongoing," remarked Arif Yulianto.

He further noted that the operation remains a high-priority mission involving the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), the Indonesian Military, the National Police, and various volunteer communities from across the Magelang region.

The disaster, which struck at approximately 3:30 a.m. Jakarta time on March 3, has left a trail of significant destruction in its wake. Beyond the human toll, provisional data indicates that the surge of water and volcanic material swept away three trucks and left 12 others trapped in the riverbed.

Additionally, two heavy excavators remain buried under sand and stone, with recovery efforts currently stalled by the hazardous conditions.

The latest recoveries bring the total number of confirmed fatalities from the incident to three, following the discovery of one victim shortly after the flow occurred. While six individuals were injured, two of whom remain hospitalized at Muntilan Hospital, rescue teams are now racing against time and unpredictable weather to locate the remaining two missing persons.

"The search operation involved elements of the Basarnas, the Indonesian Military, the National Police, and volunteers from various potential SAR communities in the Magelang area and its surroundings," added Arif. ***