After almost three months adrift, five people rescued from 20ft boat; four others died
Search ended before discovery
Officials searched for 10 days across 85,700 square kilometres, but found no sign of the missing boat or its occupants. The search was called off before villagers on Fanning Island spotted the skiff last week and brought five people to safety.
Survivors receive medical care
After nearly 100 days at sea, the passengers saw an island before their skiff ran aground. The boat was found 5,400 kilometres from where the group was last seen, according to reports.
Nursing officer Paukin Tororo said all five survivors were severely dehydrated and malnourished. They received intravenous drips and were showing signs of recovery. Tororo told the ABC that they were smiling and showing they wanted to eat.
Four passengers died
Four people, including a child, died during the months at sea, according to the report. The governor said nine people had been aboard the boat and that five had been found.
Key points
- Five people, including two children, survived almost 100 days adrift in a 20ft skiff.
- Villagers found the boat on Fanning Island, 5,400 kilometres from where the group was last seen.
- Four passengers, including a child, died; the survivors were severely dehydrated and malnourished.
- An 18-year-old was also rescued after 41 days at sea, while his cousin died.