Indonesian journalists among 8 missing near Anak Krakatau

Indonesian rescuers searched waters and islands around Anak Krakatau on Wednesday for a missing speedboat carrying eight people, including five journalists who had been sent to cover the volcano's eruption.

The group left an area west of Jakarta on Monday afternoon, but the crew lost contact with the boat owner soon after, according to rescuers. The five journalists were travelling with two crew members and a guide.

Basarnas, Indonesia's national search and rescue agency, said the second day of the operation had found no trace of the boat. Local Basarnas head Al Amrad said on Wednesday afternoon: "So far, the search result is zero."

The search began on Tuesday afternoon but was later paused because of high waves and poor visibility. Basarnas said rescuers had searched more than 270 nautical miles, including islands near the volcano, with police officers, soldiers, fishermen and volunteers taking part.

Al Amrad said the operation had been suspended for the day and would resume on Thursday. He said rescuers were proceeding cautiously because Anak Krakatau was still emitting thick volcanic ash.

Basarnas said high-speed search and rescue vessels, inflatable boats and thermal drones had been deployed. One of the journalists contacted a colleague and shared his location at 3:00 pm on Monday but has not been heard from since, the agency said.

The journalists work for local and international media, including Antara, Anadolu and iNews. They were on a mission to take photos and video of the Anak Krakatau eruption, which has paralysed several airports for days and covered cities including Jakarta in volcanic ash.