Prabowo Orders Expanded Search for 8 Missing in Sunda Strait, Virgo Ship Investigation Prepared
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- Presiden Prabowo memerintahkan perluasan operasi SAR bagi lima jurnalis dan tiga kru yang belum ditemukan di perairan Anak Krakatau.
- Pemerintah menyiapkan investigasi menyeluruh atas tenggelamnya KMP Virgo Transport 8 dengan melibatkan Polri dan TNI.
- Hak keluarga korban menjadi perhatian utama, sementara 22 kapal dikerahkan menyisir area 3.439 mil laut persegi.
President Prabowo Subianto has asked relevant agencies not to let up in the search for eight people still reported missing in the Sunda Strait, consisting of five journalists and three crew members. The instruction was delivered at a virtual coordination meeting at the Presidential Palace on Wednesday (16/9/2026), attended by several ministers of the Merah Putih Cabinet, BNPB, BMKG, Basarnas, and the Geological Agency.
The meeting placed two priorities on the agenda: speeding up the evacuation of victims of KMP Virgo Transport 8 and completing the search for media crew swept away by currents while covering the activity of Mount Anak Krakatau. As of the ninth day, the joint SAR team has not found any trace of the eight people, either around the Sunda Strait or in Bengkulu waters.
Head of the Banten Basarnas Office, Al Amrad, said the sweep on Enggano Island and the Bengkulu coastline had also yielded no results. "The results are still nil," he said, underlining that the vast search area poses a challenge of its own. Nevertheless, he ensured cross-regional coordination continues to minimize the possibility of missed points.
Besides stepping up the SAR operation, Prabowo entrusted two crucial matters to the Minister of Transportation. First, ensuring follow-up coordination with Basarnas runs smoothly. Second, guaranteeing the fulfillment of the rights of the victims' families, including access to information, compensation, and psychosocial support. "Make sure the rights of the victims' families are fulfilled as well as possible," Prabowo said during the meeting.
The head of state also requested an in-depth and objective investigation into the KMP Virgo Transport 8 incident, involving elements of the Polri and TNI. This step is considered important to uncover the exact cause of the accident while preventing a similar disaster from recurring on the busy shipping route of the Sunda Strait. The investigation is expected to focus not only on the ship's technical aspects but also on safety procedures and extreme weather mitigation.
"I ask for an in-depth and objective investigation into the incident, involving the Polri and TNI," Prabowo stressed.
For readers in Indonesia, especially businesses and investors, this event highlights the urgency of reforming maritime transport infrastructure and disaster early warning systems. The Sunda Strait is a vital logistics route connecting Java and Sumatra. Disruptions caused by ship accidents or Anak Krakatau's volcanic activity could drive up logistics costs and affect regional supply chains. The government is also required to balance accelerated development with strict shipping safety standards.
On the other hand, the incident that befell journalists while on duty serves as a reminder that the protection of media workers in disaster areas remains unfinished business. Professional organizations and journalism safety advocates are urging stricter coverage protocols, including mandatory use of personal protective equipment and coordination with local authorities before reporting in dangerous zones.
Going forward, the public will watch whether the expanded search area and the promised investigation can answer the big question: why have eight people still not been found after more than a week? Transparency of the investigation's results and accountability from all parties will be a test of the credibility of disaster handling under the current administration.
