Indonesian Rescuers Search for Eight Missing Near Erupting Anak Krakatau

Indonesian rescuers continue operations amid the ongoing Anak Krakatau volcano eruption today, with the search focused on eight missing individuals whose speedboat lost contact near the volcanic island. Mount Anak Krakatau remains at Alert Level III with ongoing episodic eruptions and a high probability of further activity, while rescuers search for eight people missing at sea near the volcano and health officials report elevated air pollution and thousands of acute respiratory infections in affected areas.

Ongoing Eruption at Anak Krakatau

Mount Anak Krakatau remains at Alert Level III according to Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency, with the status based on comprehensive analysis by the Geological Agency indicating a high probability of further eruptions in the coming periods. [4] The continuous eruption that lasted 25 hours from September 4 has ended, but the volcano has entered an episodic Strombolian phase with 14 eruptions recorded as of Friday morning. [4] Seismic activity showed shallow volcanic earthquakes had declined while deep volcanic earthquakes increased, indicating continued magma supply from beneath the volcano. [4] Observations from September 10 to 11 recorded one eruption earthquake, 21 low-frequency earthquakes, 13 hybrid earthquakes, 28 shallow volcanic earthquakes, 18 deep volcanic earthquakes and continuous tremors. [4] Hazards include incandescent rock ejections, heavy ashfall and potential lava flows if continuous eruptive activity resumes. [4] Given the Level III status, the agency reminded residents, tourists and hikers that activities within a 3-kilometer radius of the active crater are prohibited. [4] Anak Krakatau initially erupted for about 25 hours over the weekend, and it has since continued to erupt intermittently with explosions ejecting lava, ash and incandescent volcanic material from the crater. [5] The Geology Agency cautioned that volcanic activity remains elevated and the probability of further eruptions is still high, with potential hazards including volcanic bombs, heavy ashfall and lava flows if continuous eruptions resume. [5] Coastal communities in Banten and Lampung Provinces have been urged to remain calm and continue their normal activities while disregarding reports linking the Anak Krakatau eruption to a tsunami unless they come from official government channels. [4]

Search for Missing Journalists and Crew

A speedboat carrying five photojournalists, two crew members and a route guide lost contact after leaving Carita, a coastal town in Banten Province, for the volcanic island. [5] The last message from the boat was received by relatives of a journalist on board at 6:13pm on Monday, saying the group had arrived in the waters around Anak Krakatau, and they have not been heard from since. [5] The five Indonesian journalists work for Indonesia’s state news agency Antara, Turkey’s Anadolu Agency, Indonesia’s Merdeka and iNews, while the fifth is a freelance photographer, and their last known location was about 18.5km from shore. [5] Rescuers deployed since Tuesday were still unable to establish contact with the group or determine their whereabouts. [5] The search area was widened across the Sunda Strait, stretching from Carita and the islands of Rakata and Panjang to the waters around Sebesi and Legundi islands. [5] Five vessels, including two navy ships, were deployed in the search operation, with personnel from the National Search and Rescue Agency, the military and the police involved. [5] Distraught relatives gathered at the port office in Carita, hoping for news of missing family members. [5] Videos and photos released by the agency showed rescuers searching the waters. [5]

Indonesian rescuers search for eight missing people near erupting Anak Krakatau volcano. — Source: gdelt

Health Impacts and Air Quality Monitoring

The Ministry of Health continues monitoring air quality following the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau and the spread of volcanic ash, which have affected several regions. [3] Monitoring results from several locations at Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Tangerang, Banten, on September 9 showed that PM2.5 concentrations in certain outdoor areas remained above safe limits, with measurements at the Soekarno-Hatta Airport Damri Terminal showing PM2.5 levels at 63 µg/m³ whereas the safe limit is 25 µg/m³. [3] Based on Ministry of Health monitoring results from September 8, several points at Soekarno-Hatta Airport and surrounding areas still showed PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations exceeding safe limits. [3] As of September 6, the office recorded a cumulative total of 16,759 cases of Acute Respiratory Infection in areas affected by volcanic ash from the Mount Anak Krakatau eruption, spanning four provinces and 23 districts/cities, with 3,771 cases in the 0–5 age group and 12,988 cases involving individuals over the age of five. [3] The ministry's monitoring shows the incidence of ARI in 2023 is higher than during the same period in 2022. [3] Volcanic ash contains particles of various sizes, and fine particles such as PM2.5 can be inhaled deep into the lungs and potentially increase the risk of health issues, especially among vulnerable groups. [3] The public has been advised to minimize exposure to volcanic ash and particulates by limiting outdoor activities when air quality is poor, and vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, and people with pre-existing medical conditions have been called on to reduce their outdoor activities. [3] The Ministry of Health will continue to monitor air quality and assess the health impacts of the Mount Anak Krakatau eruption as part of efforts to safeguard public health. [3]

Broader Context and Official Responses

The eruption caused airport closures on Sunday and Monday that disrupted 2,961 flights, including 622 international services, and affected about 341,000 passengers. [5] The government authorized schools in areas affected by volcanic ash to shift temporarily to online learning to reduce students’ exposure to ash. [5] Airport authorities might use paper tests for flight safety, but particulate matter levels remain high and continue to pose health risks, with particulate counter measurements crucial for determining levels of fine particulates that may not be visible to the naked eye but can affect health. [3] The government ensures food and price stability in eruption affected areas. [3] The agency urged communities to disregard reports linking the Anak Krakatau eruption to a tsunami unless they come from official government channels. [4] BMKG declares eight reopened airports safe from volcanic ash. [3] An eruption of Anak Krakatau in 2018 caused a tsunami that killed at least 430 people in Sumatra and Java. [5] The volcano has been at Indonesia’s second-highest alert level since July, and authorities have advised residents, tourists and fishers to stay at least 3km from the active crater. [5]

What to watch next: The continuous eruption that lasted 25 hours from September 4 has ended, but the volcano has entered an episodic Strombolian phase with 14 eruptions recorded as of Friday morning, and seismic data continue to show increasing deep volcanic earthquakes indicating ongoing magma supply.

Further Reading

• Live Earthquake Tracker
• Live Volcano Activity
• Tsunami Warnings