JAKARTA, September 21 2026, Indonesia’s Press Council has described five journalists who went missing while covering the eruption of Anak Krakatau in the Sunda Strait as “heroes of the press”, highlighting the risks faced by journalists reporting from hazardous locations.
Press Council chairman Komarudin Hidayat said the journalists had sought to provide the public with the best images of the eruption, adding that the incident underscored the importance of close coordination between media organisations and local authorities when assigning journalists to dangerous areas.
He said audiences often enjoyed news images without considering the risks and difficulties faced by journalists in obtaining them.
The missing journalists are Muhammad Bagus Khoirunnas of Antara, Firdaus Wajidi of Anadolu Agency, Ari Basuki of Merdeka.com, Yudistiro Pranoto of iNews and freelance journalist Donal Husni.
They were travelling with boat crew members Warta and Surakman, as well as guide Heriyanto, when their speedboat lost contact on Sept 7 while they were on an assignment in the Sunda Strait.
The joint search and rescue operation was officially called off on Sept 17 after 10 days without any trace of the eight individuals.
Speaking at a prayer gathering for the missing journalists in Jakarta on Monday, Komarudin expressed hope that they would return safely, while acknowledging the uncertainty faced by their families.
Meanwhile, Antara has dedicated a room at its Banten bureau to Muhammad Bagus in recognition of his eight years of service with the national news agency.
Antara Director of News Virgandhi Prayudantoro said the room would preserve Bagus’ photojournalistic works and serve as an educational and creative space for journalists and media practitioners in Banten.
-BERNAMA
