Five Survivors Rescued in Kiribati After Three Months Drifting at Sea

Villagers on Fanning Island in Kiribati spotted five survivors on Sunday after their 20-foot skiff came ashore, ending a three-month ordeal in the Pacific Ocean. The group, which included two children, had been missing since late July after a storm pushed their small vessel far off course, according to details reported by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

The journey originally began on July 30, when nine passengers set out to travel between the islands of Murilo and Ruo in Micronesia's Chuuk State. Heavy weather swept the open boat into eastern currents, causing the vessel to drift approximately 5,400 kilometres across the ocean over the course of three months. Four members of the original group died during the drift.

Following their disappearance in July, the United States Coast Guard launched a 10-day search operation covering more than 85,000 square kilometres of ocean. However, search crews found no trace of the missing skiff or its passengers during the multi-day effort.

Upon reaching Fanning Island, the five survivors received medical treatment and were placed under the care of a local pastor, according to Kiribati lawmaker Kaotitaake Rakoroa. Official statements from the United States Coast Guard noted relief that the survivors had been found while offering condolences to the families and friends of the four people who perished.

Efforts are now focused on returning the survivors to Micronesia. Alexander Narruhn, the governor of Micronesia's Chuuk State, confirmed in a statement on Sunday that discussions are underway with the government of Kiribati to arrange the transfer of the five individuals back home.

Written by Martina Kirchner martina.kirchner@alpineweekly.com