Indonesian rescuers are searching the waters of the Sunda Strait for eight people who went missing while travelling to Anak Krakatau to cover the volcano’s latest eruption, officials said Wednesday.

The group, comprising five journalists, two crew members and a route guide, lost contact after leaving Carita in Banten province for the volcanic island. According to Banten Search and Rescue Office chief Al Amrad, the last communication was received at 6:13 p.m. Monday from the waters near Anak Krakatau. No contact has been established since.

The journalists were working for Indonesia’s state news agency Antara, Turkey’s Anadolu Agency and other local and international media outlets. Their last known position was around 18.5 kilometres (11.5 miles) from the coast. Rescue teams began searching Tuesday but have so far been unable to locate the boat or determine the group’s whereabouts.

According to an ABC report, Anak Krakatau has continued to erupt intermittently after an initial eruption ended Sunday, sending lava, ash and glowing volcanic material from its crater. The activity has disrupted air travel, with seven airports temporarily closed and thousands of flights affected.

Authorities have also allowed schools in areas covered by volcanic ash to switch temporarily to online classes to limit students’ exposure to the ash.

Anak Krakatau, meaning “Child of Krakatau,” rose from the remnants of the legendary Krakatau volcano, whose catastrophic 1883 eruption caused massive destruction and contributed to global cooling. In 2018, another eruption triggered a tsunami that killed at least 430 people along the coasts of Java and Sumatra.

The volcano remains at Indonesia’s second-highest alert level. Authorities have urged residents, tourists and fishermen to remain at least three kilometres from the active crater.

Indonesia is home to more than 120 active volcanoes and is highly prone to eruptions and earthquakes because it lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire.

BOB Post