Indonesia identifies body of missing Anak Krakatau crew member, seven including journalists remain missing

Flowers and messages of condolence adorn a photo of the journalists and speedboat crew missing while covering the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau, shortly after the search operation was officially called off at the SAR command post in Marina Carita, Pandeglang, Banten, on September 17, 2026. — AFP pic

First Published: Wednesday, 23 Sep 2026 6:01 PM MYT

JAKARTA, Sept 23 — Indonesian police have identified a body found in Bengkulu as crew member Surakman, one of eight people, including five journalists, who went missing while covering the Anak Krakatau eruption earlier this month.

Seven people remain missing.

Banten Police Chief Inspector General Hengki said Surakman’s body was found on Enggano Island in Bengkulu province on September 12.

“Based on the DNA examination, the body found on Enggano Island, Bengkulu, was genetically identified as Surakman, a crew member of the speedboat,” he told a press conference at the Banten Police headquarters in Serang on Wednesday, which was streamed live.

The eight were aboard a speedboat that departed Carita in Banten’s Pandeglang district at about 2pm on September 7 for waters near Anak Krakatau.

They were travelling to cover the volcano’s eruption when contact with the boat was lost later that day.

The five missing journalists are Muhammad Bagus Khoirunnas of Antara news agency, Firdaus Wajidi of Anadolu Ajansi, Arie Basuki of Merdeka.com, Yudistiro Pranoto of iNews and freelance journalist Donal Husni.

The two remaining crew members are Warta and Heriyanto. — Bernama