Five people, including two children, have been rescued after drifting in the Pacific Ocean for three months, having been blown off course in their small boat. The group of nine had departed from Murilo Island in Micronesia in late July for what was intended to be a one-hour crossing to the neighboring island of Ruo.
However, they were caught in a storm that pushed them far off course. They drifted approximately 3,400 miles towards Fanning Island in Kiribati, where they were eventually spotted by locals three months later. The five survivors were rescued on Sunday and are currently receiving care from a local church pastor. MP Kaotitaake Rakoroa confirmed that the group had been treated by island medical officials and recommended their urgent transfer to Kirimati Island for further medical attention.
The US Coast Guard in Micronesia had been searching for the missing individuals but suspended their efforts on August 9, after covering 25,000 nautical miles.
Micronesian politician Alexander Narruhn expressed gratitude for the survival of the five people and stated that diplomatic talks with the Kiribati government would be initiated to facilitate their return home. The fate of the other four individuals who were on the boat remains unknown.
This incident follows other recent disappearances in the region where boats have been blown off course by strong winds. Last week, an 18-year-old from Papua New Guinea was rescued after drifting for 41 days. In October, three other individuals returned home after drifting for approximately 70 days.