Five rescued in Kiribati after three months adrift in small boat; four still missing

As of 8:55 a.m. ET, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026

Five people, including two children, were rescued in the Pacific island nation of Kiribati after about three months drifting at sea in a 20-foot skiff, authorities said. Four other people who had been on the boat are still missing.

Villagers found the group Sunday, Nov. 1, off Fanning Island in Kiribati, The Associated Press reported, citing the Australian Broadcasting Corp. The boat had drifted an estimated 3,355 miles east from the Federated States of Micronesia.

A one-hour trip

The skiff had nine people aboard when it was reported missing after it failed to reach Ruo Island in Micronesia on July 30, the U.S. Coast Guard in Guam confirmed. The group had been making a one-hour crossing between the islands of Murilo and Ruo, ABC reported. ABC said the boat was caught in a storm.

A 10-day search covering 33,000 square miles found no sign of the boat or the people aboard, the Coast Guard said.

"Incredible and wonderful news these five folks were found and are receiving care," the Coast Guard told the AP in an email. "Our profound condolences to family and friends of those who did not arrive with them."

The Coast Guard said it was still gathering information about what happened to the four missing people.

Recovering on Fanning Island

All five survivors were severely dehydrated and malnourished, nursing officer Paukin Tororo told ABC. They were given IV fluids and were showing signs of recovery.

"They can give a smile face, they show the sign they want to eat," she said.

A Kiribati lawmaker, Kaotitaake Rakoroa, told ABC a pastor on the island was caring for the survivors. They have not spoken publicly and have asked for privacy, ABC reported.

Alexander Narruhn, governor of Micronesia's Chuuk state, said he had started talks with Kiribati's government to bring the survivors home. "Thanks be to God for his love and mercy that five of the nine have been found," he said through an interpreter. "We continue to pray for their four companions."

Other long drifts

In 2023, Australian sailor Tim Shaddock and his dog Bella were rescued after more than two months adrift in the Pacific, the AP reported. In 2017, two American sailors and their two dogs were rescued after five months at sea.