Navy information chief First Admiral Tunggul confirmed the discovery but said it was unclear whether the buoy belonged to any of the missing journalists or the vessel's crew.
"It has not yet been confirmed whether the buoy found belonged to the five missing journalists," Tunggul said, adding that the buoy was found by the KAL Anyer I-3-64 patrol vessel during the third day of the search, west of the Cikoneng-Labuan waters near Anyer, Banten, on Thursday.
He said the Navy was still examining the buoy to determine whether it was linked to the missing journalists.
"The Navy and joint team are continuing to examine the discovery and conduct further searches to determine whether it is linked to the journalists," he said.
Five journalists and three crew members were reported missing after losing contact in the Sunda Strait on Monday, September 7. The journalists were M. Bagus Khoirunnas of ANTARA’s Banten Bureau, Ari Basuki of Merdeka, Yudhis of iNews, Daus of Anadolu News Agency, and freelance journalist Donal.
Banten Search and Rescue Office has continued to strengthen the operation by deploying an AS365 N3+ Dauphin helicopter, registration HR-3604, to support the search.
"Helicopter HR-3604 departed Atang Sendjaja Air Base at 12:36 p.m. and was scheduled to arrive at JIExpo Kemayoran, Jakarta, at 12:52 p.m.," Banten SAR Chief Al Amrad said.
The flight route includes Carita Beach, Banten BPBD, and the JIExpo helipad.
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Translator: Walda M, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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