Five survivors rescued after drifting 5,400 km across Pacific for three months; four still missing

Five people aboard a small boat that went missing in the Pacific Ocean have been rescued after drifting roughly 5,400 kilometers over about three months. The fate of four others who were on the same vessel remains unknown.

According to Australia's ABC and the Associated Press, the survivors — three adult men and two boys — were found Sunday by local residents in waters near Fanning Island in Kiribati, a Pacific island nation. They are believed to have drifted roughly 5,400 kilometers to the east.

The boat set out July 30 carrying nine people, headed for a nearby island about an hour away by sea — a short, routine route. It was blown off course after encountering a storm along the way.

The US Coast Guard in Guam, with support from US Navy and Air Force aircraft, searched an area of 85,700 square kilometers over 10 days after receiving the missing-persons report. The search was called off after no trace of the boat or its passengers was found.

All five survivors are receiving treatment for severe dehydration and malnutrition. Faukin Tororo, a nursing officer on Fanning Island, told ABC that the survivors were responding to intravenous fluid treatment and showing signs of recovery. "They are smiling and showing that they want to eat," Tororo said.

The US Coast Guard called the discovery "truly amazing and wonderful news," adding that it extended "deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who did not make it back." It said it was gathering information to determine what happened to the four who remain missing.

Chuuk State Governor Alexander Narun said nine people had been aboard the missing vessel. "That we were able to find five of the nine is a testament to God's love and mercy," he said. "We continue to pray for the four remaining crew members as well."

Rescues of drifting survivors in Kiribati waters have come in quick succession recently. Last week, an 18-year-old who had gone fishing off Bougainville in Papua New Guinea drifted for 41 days after the engine failed and was rescued more than 2,100 kilometers away near Tarawa in Kiribati. A cousin who had been on board died during the ordeal.

Last month, three residents were found near Kiritimati Island after drifting at sea for about 70 days and were returned home.