Five rescued after drifting 3,355 miles in South Pacific, four still missing

The U.S. Coast Guard in Guam confirmed that a skiff carrying nine people had been reported missing since July after failing to return to Ruo Island in Micronesia, CBS News reported.

Five people, including two children, were rescued off Fanning Island in Kiribati after drifting approximately 3,355 miles east from the Federated States of Micronesia, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corp.

The group had been attempting a short crossing between the islands of Murilo and Ruo when their boat was caught in a storm, ABC reported.

A 10-day search covering 33,000 square miles initially found no sign of the missing boat or occupants, the U.S. Coast Guard stated.

The five survivors were severely dehydrated and malnourished but showed signs of recovery after receiving medical care on Kiribati, ABC said.

The U.S. Coast Guard expressed condolences for the four still missing and said it is continuing to gather information about their status.

Officials from Micronesia and Kiribati are coordinating efforts to bring the survivors home, CBS News reported.