After months lost at sea on a small boat, 5 people are rescued in the island nation of Kiribati

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Five people, including two children, were rescued this week in the South Pacific island nation of Kiribati after three months drifting at sea in a 20-foot skiff, authorities said. Another four remained missing.

Villagers rescued the group Sunday off Fanning Island in Kiribati, the Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported, after they had drifted an estimated 5,400 kilometers (3,355 miles) east from the Federated States of Micronesia.

The U.S. Coast Guard in Guam on Tuesday confirmed that the skiff with nine people aboard had been reported missing after it failed to return to Ruo Island in Micronesia on July 30. A 10-day search covering 85,700 square kilometers (33,000 square miles) followed without any sign of the missing boat or those aboard, it said.

“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.

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

When asked by the AP what happened to the missing four, the U.S. Coast Guard said it was continuing to gather and confirm information and would reply as soon as possible.

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Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/world