Journalists in 22 Cities Pray for Five Colleagues Missing Near Anak Krakatau

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian Photojournalists Association (PFI), together with the Indonesian Television Journalists Association (IJTI) and the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI), held a solidarity rally for five journalists who went missing while covering volcanic activity at Anak Krakatau.

The rally took place near the Menteng Police Sector Monitoring Post in Jakarta on Friday, September 11, 2026.

Solidarity rallies were also held in 22 cities across Indonesia and attended by journalists from television, radio, and online media. Participants lit white candles and offered prayers for the five journalists and three speedboat crew members who went missing in the Sunda Strait.

The candle‑lighting ceremony lasted five minutes in silence and was led by PFI Central Chairman Dwi Pambudo. “May those who are missing be found safe and sound, and return home to their families,” Dwi told reporters in Jakarta on Friday, September 11, 2026.

Dwi also expressed gratitude to the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) and other relevant institutions for continuing the search. He said he hopes the joint team’s efforts will lead to success and that the entire group will be found soon.

Five journalists and three speedboat crew members have been missing since Monday, September 7, while sailing in the Sunda Strait to cover increased eruption activity at Anak Krakatau.

The journalists are M Bagus Khoirunnas of Antara, Ari Basuki of Merdeka.com, Yudistiro Pranoto of iNews, Firman Daus of Anadolu Agency, and Donal Husni, a freelance reporter. The missing crew members are Warta (captain), Surakman (crew), and Heriyanto (guide).

In Jakarta, the atmosphere turned solemn as journalists bowed their heads while the candles were lit, praying for the missing group. The ceremony, led by Dwi Pambudo, lasted five minutes in silence.

Journalists also held a joint prayer led by a religious figure, asking for protection and safety for the five journalists and the speedboat crew who remain unaccounted for.

“Thank you to all members of the press and the Indonesian public. Today, PFI Jakarta is holding a joint prayer for the five journalists and three crew members. May they be found safe, healthy, and return home to their families,” Dwi said.

He also thanked Basarnas and other agencies for continuing the search and hoped the joint team’s hard work would soon bring results.

Dwi said solidarity rallies were held not only in Jakarta but also in Depok, Tangerang, Makassar, Bali, Bogor, and other regions. (Gusti Panji)