World · East Asia & Pacific · 1 hr ago
Five survivors rescued in Kiribati after drifting at sea for three months
Five people were rescued after drifting at sea for about three months and reaching Fanning Island in Kiribati.
They were two children and three adults from a group of nine who left Murilo for Ruo, in the Federated States of Micronesia, on July 30.
A storm caught their boat during what was meant to be a short crossing between the islands.
The US Coast Guard and military searched for the group for 10 days before suspending the search on August 9.
Villagers found the survivors about 5,400 kilometres away from where they had set out, and local officials provided medical care.
Four of the nine people remain unaccounted for, and what happened to them is not known.
The Chuuk State governor has asked Micronesia’s president to begin talks with Kiribati about bringing the survivors home.
Five people, including two children and three adults, were rescued on Fanning Island in Kiribati after drifting at sea for about three months.
They were among nine people who set out from Murilo for Ruo in the Federated States of Micronesia on July 30.
A storm caught the group during what was intended to be a short crossing.
The US Coast Guard suspended its search on August 9 after 10 days.
The fate of the other four people on the boat has not been revealed.
- Who
- Five people, including two children and three adults, were rescued.
- What
- They were found alive after drifting at sea for about three months.
- When
- They set out on July 30 and were rescued on a Sunday, about three months later.
- Where
- Villagers found them on Fanning Island in Kiribati, about 5,400 kilometres from their intended destination.
- Why
- A storm caught their boat during a short crossing between Murilo and Ruo.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Nine people set out on a planned short crossing between Murilo and Ruo in the Federated States of Micronesia.
The US Coast Guard suspended its search after 10 days.
Villagers on Fanning Island spotted the drifting boat and rescued the five people aboard.
- Survivors
- 5 people, including 2 children and 3 adults
- Original group
- 9 people
- Departure
- July 30
- Rescue location
- Fanning Island, Kiribati
- Distance drifted
- Estimated 5,400 kilometres
2 sources
What people are saying
The group has already been treated by our medical officials on the island.
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.
We continue to pray for their four companions.