After months adrift in the south Pacific, 5 people rescued; 4 others missing

Rescue in Kiribati

The five survivors were rescued this week in Kiribati after drifting for three months in a 20-foot skiff, authorities said. Two children were among those found, and a pastor on the island is caring for them, according to Kiribati lawmaker Kaotitaake Rakoroa.

Rakoroa told ABC that the survivors were smiling and signaling that they wanted food. The U.S. Coast Guard in Guam described the rescue as welcome news in an email to The Associated Press.

Four people remain missing

The skiff had nine people aboard and was reported missing after it did not return to Ruo Island in Micronesia on July 30. The group had been making a one-hour trip between Murilo and Ruo, ABC reported.

Asked about the other four people, the Coast Guard said it was still gathering and verifying information. It said it would respond when it could provide more details.

Officials discuss survivors’ return

Alexander Narruhn, governor of Micronesia’s Chuuk state, said Sunday that he had started discussions with the Kiribati government about bringing the survivors home. He also said he continued to pray for the four missing people. Narruhn did not immediately respond to an Associated Press request for comment.

Other Pacific sea rescues

Shaddock said they drank rainwater and ate raw fish he caught before a helicopter spotted them and they were rescued in July 2023. In 2024, three fishermen stranded on a remote Micronesian island were found after making a large “HELP” sign from palm leaves on a beach.