Five people, including two children, were rescued Sunday off Fanning Island in Kiribati after drifting for three months in a 20-foot skiff, authorities said. Four others who were aboard remain missing.
Villagers found the group after the skiff drifted an estimated 3,355 miles east from the Federated States of Micronesia, the Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported. The U.S. Coast Guard in Guam confirmed on Tuesday that the boat, carrying nine people, was reported missing after it failed to return to Ruo Island on July 30. ABC reported the group had been making a one-hour crossing between Murilo and Ruo, and that their boat was caught in a storm.
A 10-day search covering 33,000 square miles found no sign of the boat or those aboard, ABC reported.
"Incredible and wonderful news these five folks were found and are receiving care," the Coast Guard said in an email to The Associated Press. It added its condolences to the families and friends of those who did not arrive with them. Asked what happened to the four missing people, the Coast Guard said it was still gathering and confirming information.
Kaotitaake Rakoroa, a Kiribati lawmaker, told ABC the survivors were being cared for by a pastor on the island. Nursing officer Paukin Tororo told ABC on Monday that all five were severely dehydrated and malnourished. They were given intravenous drips and were showing signs of recovery.
The survivors have not spoken publicly about their ordeal and have asked for privacy, ABC reported.
Alexander Narruhn, governor of Micronesia's Chuuk state, said in a statement on Sunday that he had begun talks with the Kiribati government to bring the survivors home. "We continue to pray for their four companions," he said through an interpreter.
Comments (0)
Please log in to comment.
No comments yet.