“Thanks be to God for his love and mercy that five … have been found,” an official said of their survival
Three adults and two children have been found alive after being lost at sea for three months following what was supposed to be a routine trip on a 20-foot boat, according to authorities and news reports.
The survivors were among a group of nine who departed on a planned one-hour crossing between the islands of Murilo and Ruo in Micronesia on July 30 when they were instead blown off course in a storm, according to The Times in the U.K. and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Eventually, the U.S. Coast Guard in Micronesia called off its search for the 20-foot skiff after covering more than 25,000 nautical miles and more than 31 search patterns, the agency said in a news release on Aug. 10.
But on Sunday, Nov. 1, villagers on Fanning Island in Kiribati in the Pacific Ocean discovered the five survivors in their passing boat and rescued them, The Times and the ABC reported.
Kaotitaake Rakoroa, a member of parliament in Kiribati, said the adults and kids had been taken in and cared for by the pastor of a local church, according to the outlets.
They were severely dehydrated and malnourished, according to the ABC.
Further details about how they survived since July were not available.
“We are extremely relieved to hear that five individuals were found and are receiving care based on media reports. We extend our profound condolences for those who are still missing” the Coast Guard told PEOPLE in a statement.
Nursing officer Paukin Tororo told the ABC that the survivors were showing signs of recovery on Monday, Nov. 2.
“They can move their head side by side,” she said. “They can give a smile face, they show the sign they want to eat.”
Alexander Narruhn, the governor of Micronesia’s Chuuk state, said in a statement on Sunday that he had begun talks with the Kiribati government to bring the five back home, according to the Associated Press.
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“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,” Narruhn said through an interpreter.
He added: “We continue to pray for their four companions.”