Five people rescued off Kiribati after months drifting at sea

Five people were reportedly rescued off the coast of Kiribati last weekend after having drifted thousands of kilometres at sea over the course of three months.

The group, which included two children, were spotted by villagers off Fanning Island on Sunday, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported.

They had set off on a 20-foot skiff on July 30 with four others, intending to cross between Murilo and Ruo islands in Micronesia, but had been caught in a storm, the report said. They were estimated to have drifted around 5,400 km east of Micronesia.

The US Coast Guard (USCG) launched a 10-day search operation covering over 85,000 square kilometres following their disappearance but found no sign of the vessel.

“Incredible and wonderful news these five folks were found and are receiving care,” the US Coast Guard told The AP following their rescue.

“Our profound condolences to family and friends of those who did not arrive with them,” it added.

Kaotitaake Rakoroa, a local lawmaker, said the five had received medical treatment and were being cared for by a pastor on Fanning Island, per ABC.

In a statement shared on Sunday, the governor of Micronesia's Chuuk state, Alexander Narruhn, said he was in talks with the Kiribati government to bring the survivors home.

“There were nine people aboard the boat that went missing. Thanks be to God for his love and mercy that five of the nine have been found,” Narruhn said.