Eight people, including five journalists, have gone missing at sea while travelling to cover the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau, authorities said on Wednesday.The group left aboard a speedboat bound for the volcanic island in the Sunda Strait on Monday afternoon, according to Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency, Basarnas.The five Indonesian journalists were travelling to capture photographs and video of the eruption. Two boat crew members and a guide were accompanying them, reported AFP.Basarnas said the boat lost contact with its owner soon after departure. According to the Banten Search and Rescue Office, the boat left at 2pm local time on 7 September.The last message from the boat was received by relatives of one of the journalists at 6.13pm on Monday, saying the group had arrived in waters around Anak Krakatau, reported the Associated Press.Firefighters spray water in an attempt to extinguish a wildfire in Palembang, South Sumatra province, Indonesia, 8 September 2026 (Reuters)According to Indonesian weekly magazine Tempo, Basarnas had identified at least five people, including Antara photojournalist M Bagus Khoirunnas, Ari Basuki of local news outlet Merdeka, Yudhis of Indonesian TV channel iNews, Daus of Anadolu, and freelance journalist Donal. Details of others were still being verified.A search operation began on Tuesday afternoon but was suspended several hours later because of high waves and poor visibility. “We will continue the search tomorrow. We express our condolences," said Basarnas deputy for operations, Edy Prakoso, on Tuesday, according to Antara. "Anak Krakatau can still erupt and spew volcanic material at any time, and we must proceed with caution," he said. On Wednesday, the search area was expanded to approximately 271 nautical miles based on digital search-and-rescue mapping analysis, with rescuers focusing on an area southwest of Anak Krakatau.Forestry department firefighters extinguish a ground fire at Kuala Dua village in Kubu Raya, West Kalimantan, on 6 September 2026 (AFP/Getty)Six vessels have been deployed across five search-and-rescue units, including those operated by the navy, police and the search-and-rescue agency. Rescuers are also using inflatable boats and thermal drones.Riski Dwiyanto, head of the operations section at the Banten Search and Rescue Office, said weather conditions at the search site had improved.“These conditions are still considered safe and highly favourable for us to conduct a sweep at sea,” he said, according to Tempo.He said the operation was being carried out with the full strength of the joint search-and-rescue team.“The joint search and rescue team will continue the search by optimising all available personnel, facilities, and equipment,” Basarnas said.Officers from Banten Basarnas, wearing personal protective equipment, prepare alongside Water Police officers for the second day of the search operation, at Pelindo Regional 2 Port, in Cilegon, Banten, on 9 September 2026 (AFP/Getty)Family members of those missing have begun arriving at the search command post, according to the agency.“We ask for prayers from the media and the public so that the joint search and rescue team can quickly locate the victims safe and sound,” Mr Dwiyanto said.Anak Krakatau has continued to erupt intermittently, with explosions ejecting lava, ash and incandescent volcanic material from its crater, according to the AP.The eruption caused airport closures on Sunday and Monday, disrupting nearly 2,961 flights, including 622 international services, and affecting about 341,000 passengers.Authorities have advised residents, tourists and fishermen to remain at least 3km from the active crater.