Five survivors rescued after drifting for three months in the Pacific

Five members of a family, including two teenagers, have been rescued in the South Pacific after drifting at sea for approximately 94 days. The group was originally traveling on a 20-foot skiff from Murilo to Ruo islands in the Federated States of Micronesia on July 30, 2026, for a routine supply trip.

An unexpected storm and subsequent fuel exhaustion caused the vessel to blow off course. While the US Coast Guard conducted a ten-day search covering a vast area, the boat was not located until it drifted 5,400 kilometers away from its original location. The survivors were eventually spotted by villagers off the coast of Fanning Island in Kiribati, guided by the sound of church bells.

To survive the ordeal, the group reportedly consumed birds and turtles and relied on rainwater for hydration. All five survivors were found suffering from severe dehydration and malnutrition and are currently receiving medical treatment. Four other passengers, including a child, died during the three months at sea.