Prabowo Instructs Navy to Search for Missing Journalists, 11 Vessels Deployed

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Thursday, September 10, 2026, instructed the Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) to immediately search for a group of journalists on a speedboat, reportedly missing while covering the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau in the Sunda Strait. The group has been confirmed to consist of five journalists and three boat crew members.

Indonesian Cabinet Secretary, Teddy Indra Wijaya, said in a written statement that President Prabowo ordered the search after receiving reports that the group had lost contact on Monday night, September 7, 2026. He instructed Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Ali to immediately deploy naval vessels to search.

“Since the group of five journalists and three boat crew members was reported to have lost contact, President Prabowo immediately instructed the Chief of Naval Staff on Monday night to begin the search. That same day, the Navy deployed its ships,” Teddy said, as quoted by the Indonesian Presidential Secretariat.

Following the president’s instructions, a search operation was launched, involving a number of joint assets. According to a report from the Chief of Naval Staff, a total of 11 vessels were deployed to search the area and locate the missing group.

“According to the Chief of Naval Staff’s report, a total of 11 joint vessels immediately began the search,” Cabinet Secretary Teddy said.

The deployment of multiple vessels demonstrates that the search effort involves various elements and resources working together. The operation continues to focus on locating all members of the group, who remain out of contact.

As the search operation continues, Cabinet Secretary Teddy also expressed his hopes and prayers. He said he hoped that the five journalists and three boat crew members would be found as soon as possible and in safe condition.

“Our prayers are for the safety of everyone in the group. We hope they will be found soon and safe,” Teddy said.

Of the eight people aboard the speedboat, five are journalists: M. Bagus Khoirunnas of Indonesian news agency Antara, Arie Basuki of news website Merdeka.com, Yudhis of television network iNews, Daus of Turkish news agency Anadolu Agency, and Donal, a freelance journalist. The remaining three are crew members.