Five Rescued in Kiribati After Three Months Adrift at Sea
WHO:
NBC4 Washington - Five people, including two children, were rescued; four other people remained missing.
ABC News - Five people, including two children, were rescued; four other people remained missing.
CBS News World - The Coast Guard confirmed that nine people had been aboard the missing skiff; four remained missing.
NBC4 Washington - Kiribati lawmaker Kaotitaake Rakoroa said a pastor on the island was caring for the survivors.
ABC News - Kiribati lawmaker Kaotitaake Rakoroa said a pastor on the island was caring for the survivors.
NBC4 Washington - Nursing officer Paukin Tororo said all five survivors were severely dehydrated and malnourished, had been put on intravenous drips, and were showing signs of recovery.
ABC News - Nursing officer Paukin Tororo said all five survivors were severely dehydrated and malnourished, had been put on intravenous drips, and were showing signs of recovery.
NBC4 Washington - Chuuk state governor Alexander Narruhn said he had begun talks with the Kiribati government to bring the survivors home.
ABC News - Chuuk state governor Alexander Narruhn said he had begun talks with the Kiribati government to bring the survivors home.
WHAT:
The Washington Post - The Coast Guard said the search covered around 25,000 square nautical miles before it was called off.
NBC4 Washington - Villagers rescued five people from a 20-foot skiff after they had drifted at sea for three months; four of the nine people aboard remained missing.
ABC News - Villagers rescued five people from a 20-foot skiff after they had drifted at sea for three months; four of the nine people aboard remained missing.
NBC4 Washington - The U.S. Coast Guard said the skiff had been reported missing after it failed to return to Ruo Island; a 10-day search covering 33,000 square miles found no trace of the boat or its occupants.
ABC News - The U.S. Coast Guard said the skiff had been reported missing after it failed to return to Ruo Island; a 10-day search covering 85,700 square kilometers (33,000 square miles) found no trace of the boat or its occupants.
NBC4 Washington - The Coast Guard said, “Incredible and wonderful news these five folks were found and are receiving care,” and offered “profound condolences” to the families and friends of those who did not arrive with them.
ABC News - The Coast Guard said, “Incredible and wonderful news these five folks were found and are receiving care,” and offered “profound condolences” to the families and friends of those who did not arrive with them.
NBC4 Washington - Tororo said, “They can give a smile face, they show the sign they want to eat.”
ABC News - Tororo said, “They can give a smile face, they show the sign they want to eat.”
NBC4 Washington - Narruhn said, “There were nine people aboard the boat that went missing. Thanks be to God for his love and mercy that five of the nine have been found,” and, “We continue to pray for their four companions.”
ABC News - Narruhn said, “There were nine people aboard the boat that went missing. Thanks be to God for his love and mercy that five of the nine have been found,” and, “We continue to pray for their four companions.”
NBC4 Washington - The survivors had not spoken publicly about their ordeal and had requested privacy.
ABC News - The survivors had not spoken publicly about their ordeal and had requested privacy.
NBC4 Washington - The Associated Press received no immediate reply to its questions to the Coast Guard about the four missing people or to Narruhn’s request for comment.
ABC News - The Associated Press received no immediate reply to its questions to the Coast Guard about the four missing people or to Narruhn’s request for comment.
WHERE:
NBC4 Washington - Villagers rescued the group off Fanning Island, Kiribati, after it drifted an estimated 3,355 miles east from the Federated States of Micronesia.
ABC News - Villagers rescued the group off Fanning Island, Kiribati, after it drifted an estimated 5,400 kilometers (3,355 miles) east from the Federated States of Micronesia.
NBC4 Washington - The nine people had been crossing between Murilo and Ruo islands in Micronesia.
ABC News - The nine people had been crossing between Murilo and Ruo islands in Micronesia.
WHEN:
The Washington Post - The boat was reported missing on July 30 after failing to reach Ruo Island.
NBC4 Washington - The rescue occurred Sunday; the Coast Guard confirmed the missing-skiff report on Tuesday; the boat had failed to return on July 30; Tororo gave her account on Monday.
ABC News - The rescue occurred Sunday; the Coast Guard confirmed the missing-skiff report on Tuesday; the boat had failed to return on July 30; Tororo gave her account on Monday.
NBC4 Washington - The group had drifted at sea for three months, and the search lasted 10 days.
ABC News - The group had drifted at sea for three months, and the search lasted 10 days.
WHY:
NBC4 Washington - The nine people were caught in a storm during what had been a one-hour crossing between Murilo and Ruo.
ABC News - The nine people were caught in a storm during what had been a one-hour crossing between Murilo and Ruo.
HOW:
NBC4 Washington - The survivors were receiving care from a pastor and medical staff; all five were given intravenous drips.
ABC News - The survivors were receiving care from a pastor and medical staff; all five were given intravenous drips.
(UPDATED November 3, 2026 22:04 UTC)
Villagers rescued five people from a skiff near Kiribati after three months adrift at sea. Four of the nine aboard remain missing after a Coast Guard search found no trace. The survivors were severely dehydrated and malnourished, but are receiving medical care and recovering.
--
(UPDATED November 3, 2026 20:02 UTC)
Villagers rescued five people from a skiff after three months adrift near Kiribati. Four of the nine aboard remain missing after a storm swept them off course. The survivors, severely dehydrated and malnourished, are receiving medical care and showing signs of recovery.