Five survive after being lost at sea for three months

KIRIBATI: Nine people on a skiff had been reported missing after they failed to return to Ruo Island in Micronesia on July 30. Four people remained missing

Five people, including two children, were rescued this week in the South Pacific island nation of Kiribati after three months drifting at sea in a 20-foot (6m) skiff, authorities said. Another four remained missing.

Villagers rescued the group on Sunday off Fanning Island in Kiribati, the Australian Broadcasting Corp (ABC) reported, after they had drifted an estimated 5,400km east from the Federated States of Micronesia.

The US Coast Guard in Guam yesterday confirmed that the skiff with nine people aboard had been reported missing after it failed to return to Ruo Island in Micronesia on July 30.

The map above shows the region where five people, including two children, were rescued in the South Pacific island nation of Kiribati after three months drifting at sea.

Photo: AP Digital Embed

10-DAY SEARCH

A 10-day search covering 85,700km2 followed without any sign of the missing boat or those aboard, it said.

“Incredible and wonderful news these five folks were found and are receiving care,” the US Coast Guard told The Associated Press in an e-mail.

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

When asked by the AP what happened to the missing four, the US Coast Guard said it was continuing to gather and confirm information and would reply as soon as possible.

Kiribati lawmaker Kaotitaake Rakoroa told ABC the survivors were being cared for by a pastor on the island.

Nursing officer Paukin Tororo told the ABC on Monday that all five were severely dehydrated and malnourished. All were put on intravenous drips and were showing signs of recovery.

“They can give a smile face, they show the sign they want to eat,” she told the ABC.

The survivors had yet to speak publicly about their ordeal and had requested privacy, the Australian broadcaster reported.

BRING THEM HOME

The governor of Micronesia’s Chuuk state, Alexander Narruhn, issued a statement on Sunday saying he had begun 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 through an interpreter.

“We continue to pray for their four companions,” he added.

Narruhn did not immediately respond to the AP’s request for comment.

The nine had been making a one-hour crossing between the islands of Murilo and Ruo when they were caught in a storm, the ABC reported.