Bogor, W Java, Oct. 18 -- Five journalists and three boat personnel went missing in the Sunda Strait on Sept. 7 while covering Mount Anak Krakatau, prompting ANTARA staff to push for stronger newsroom safety training and protections.

The group set out to cover the volcano on Sept. 7, 2026. By afternoon, their boat had gone silent.

The group included Muhammad Bagus Khoirunnas of ANTARA, Ari Basuki of Merdeka.com, Yudistiro Pranoto of iNEWS, Firdaus Wajidi of Anadolu Agency, freelance journalist Donal Husni, boat captain Warta, crew member Surakman and guide Heriyanto.

The disappearance drew national and international attention. That evening, President Prabowo Subianto ordered Navy Chief of Staff Adm. Muhammad Ali to launch an immediate ...