Search resumes for five Indonesian journalists missing on volcano mission

Indonesian rescuers have recommenced their search on Wednesday for a missing speedboat, carrying five Indonesian journalists and three crew members, who were sent to report on an erupting volcano. The vessel departed from an area west of Jakarta on Monday afternoon but lost communication with its owner shortly after leaving, according to the Basarnas rescue agency.

The five journalists, representing local and international media outlets, were tasked with capturing images and footage of Mount Anak Krakatau's eruption, which had disrupted several airports and coated cities, including Jakarta, in volcanic ash. Accompanying the journalists were two boat crew members and a guide.

A search was initiated on Tuesday afternoon but was suspended due to rough seas and low visibility. However, on Wednesday, the search area was broadened, and the joint operation involved multiple rescuers, including police, military personnel, fishermen, and volunteers. The Basarnas agency has deployed high-speed vessels, inflatable boats, and thermal drones to optimize the search efforts.

One of the journalists managed to contact a colleague, providing his location at 3pm on Monday, but has not been heard from since. Marine accidents are frequent in the Southeast Asian archipelago, often attributed to subpar safety standards and unpredictable weather conditions. In January, three Spanish tourists perished when their boat capsized off eastern Indonesia, and a 10-year-old boy was officially declared missing, presumed dead, following the end of the search.