Five Rescued After Three Months Adrift in Pacific
Five people, including two children, have been rescued in the Pacific Ocean after spending three months at sea and drifting approximately 5,400 kilometres (3,355 miles) from their original route.
The group went adrift near the Federated States of Micronesia aboard a small 20-foot skiff and ended up near the remote archipelago of Kiribati.
The group was discovered on Sunday, November 1 near Fanning Island when local villagers spotted the vessel. Four other people who were aboard the boat when it went missing remain unaccounted for, according to the Associated Press (AP).
The nine passengers left on July 30 for what was supposed to be a one-hour crossing between the islands of Murilo and Ruo in Micronesia. The boat was reportedly caught in a storm and failed to return to Ruo.
The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed that the vessel was reported missing shortly after July 30th. A massive search effort spanned approximately 85,700 square kilometres (33,000 square miles), but no signs were found. The search was suspended on August 9.
Following news of the rescue, the U.S. Coast Guard told AP that it was “incredible and wonderful news” that the five people had been found given the time they spent adrift.
The five survivors, three men and two boys, were taken ashore by villagers on Fanning Island and received immediate medical care.
Paukin Tororo, a nursing officer on the island, told ABC News Australia that all five were suffering from severe dehydration and malnutrition.
“They can give a smile face, they show the sign they want to eat,” Tororo told ABC.
The survivors have not spoken publicly and have asked for privacy. The fate of the other four people who were aboard the skiff remains unclear.
Alexander Narruhn, governor of Chuuk State in the Federated States of Micronesia, said he had begun discussions with the Kiribati government to arrange the survivors’ return 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 people have been found,” Narruhn said in a statement.
“We continue to pray for their four companions,” he added.
The U.S. Coast Guard said it was continuing to gather information about the missing passengers.
The rescue is the latest in a series of incidents involving people who have drifted long distances across the Pacific around the Kiribati region.
In a separate incident reported by ABC in November, an 18-year-old from Bougainville, Papua New Guinea, was rescued after drifting at sea for 41 days. He and his cousin reportedly suffered engine trouble during a fishing trip and were unable to fix the engine. The young man was found more than 2,000 kilometres from the pair's original location. His cousin did not survive.
In September, ABC also reported three other people from Bougainville had returned home after being adrift for roughly 70 days. Their group was also located near Kiritimati Island.
The five latest survivors are expected to return to Micronesia as soon as the two governments can arrange transport.
Comments