Anak Krakatau Erupts as Eight People Remain Missing at Sea

JAKARTA – Indonesia’s Anak Krakatau volcano has triggered a major search-and-rescue operation in the Sunda Strait after eight people went missing while traveling toward the volcano, as ongoing volcanic activity has also disrupted air travel across the country.

The missing group consists of five journalists and three boat crew members. They departed from Pagedongan Pier in Carita, Banten, on September 7 to document Anak Krakatau’s eruption. Their last known communication was reported shortly after departure, before contact was lost at around 3:04 p.m. local time.

The five journalists include reporters and photographers from Antara, Merdeka, iNews and Anadolu Agency, as well as a freelance journalist. The other three people were the boat’s captain, crew member and guide. As the search entered its second day, authorities had not located the missing group.

Indonesian search-and-rescue teams have expanded their operation across the Sunda Strait, including waters around Sebesi Island, Sebuku Island, Rakata Island and the Krakatau area. Naval, police and rescue vessels have been deployed, supported by aerial monitoring equipment.

The search is taking place amid continuing volcanic hazards. Rescue teams reported seeing thick volcanic ash while operating near Anak Krakatau, forcing officials to balance the search effort with the safety of personnel.

Anak Krakatau experienced a continuous eruption lasting around 25 hours from Friday night into Sunday. Although that phase ended, intermittent Strombolian eruptions have continued, producing ash and incandescent volcanic material.

The eruption has also created a major aviation disruption. Volcanic ash affected 2,961 domestic and international flights and approximately 341,000 passengers, according to Indonesia’s Transportation Ministry. Several airports, including Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, were temporarily closed as a safety precaution.

Airports have since reopened after volcanic ash conditions improved, although authorities continued inspecting aircraft and airport infrastructure to ensure that ash contamination did not create additional aviation risks.

Indonesia’s Geological Agency has maintained Anak Krakatau at Alert Level III, the country’s second-highest warning level. Authorities have urged residents, tourists and visitors to stay at least 3 kilometers away from the volcano’s active center because of the continuing risk of volcanic material and other hazards.

Located between Java and Sumatra, Anak Krakatau sits within the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the world’s most volcanically and seismically active regions. The volcano is also remembered for its deadly 2018 eruption, which triggered a tsunami that killed more than 400 people.

For now, attention remains divided between monitoring the volcano and finding the eight missing people. Rescue teams continue searching the Sunda Strait while taking into account sea conditions, weather and Anak Krakatau’s ongoing volcanic activity.