Five People Rescued After Three Months Adrift in Pacific

Five people, including two children, have survived after spending approximately three months drifting across the South Pacific in a small boat, with villagers rescuing them off Fanning Island in Kiribati. Four other people who were aboard the missing vessel remain unaccounted for, according to authorities.

The survivors were found Sunday after drifting an estimated 3,355 miles east from the Federated States of Micronesia. They had been traveling in a 20-foot skiff carrying nine people when the vessel disappeared on July 30, the Australian Broadcasting Corp. (ABC) reported.

The U.S. Coast Guard in Guam confirmed Tuesday that authorities had received a report about the missing boat after it failed to return to Ruo Island in Micronesia. A 10-day search covering approximately 33,000 square miles found no trace of the vessel or its passengers.

The Coast Guard welcomed the discovery of the survivors while expressing concern for those still missing in an email to The Associated Press.

"Incredible and wonderful news these five folks were found and are receiving care," the U.S. Coast Guard told The Associated Press in an email.

The agency also acknowledged the families of the four people who have not been found.

"Our profound condolences to family and friends of those who did not arrive with them," the email added.

The Associated Press requested further information about the four missing passengers but had not received an immediate response from the Coast Guard.

Kiribati lawmaker Kaotitaake Rakoroa told ABC that a pastor on Fanning Island was providing care for the rescued group. Nursing officer Paukin Tororo said Monday that all five survivors were severely dehydrated and malnourished.

Medical staff administered intravenous fluids to the survivors, who subsequently showed signs of improvement, according to Tororo.

"They can give a smile face, they show the sign they want to eat," Tororo told ABC.

The survivors had not made public statements about their experience and had requested privacy, the Australian broadcaster reported.

Meanwhile, Alexander Narruhn, governor of Micronesia's Chuuk state, announced Sunday that he had started discussions with the Kiribati government to arrange the survivors' return home.

In a statement delivered through an interpreter, Narruhn confirmed that nine people had originally been aboard the missing boat and welcomed the discovery of five survivors.

"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.

He also addressed the fate of the four people who remain missing.

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

Narruhn did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press. The nine passengers had reportedly been making a one-hour crossing between the islands of Murilo and Ruo when a storm struck, according to ABC.