21 Feb 2005

Three Kiribati men found safe after seven weeks adrift in dinghy

11:28 am on 21 February 2005

Three Kiribati men have been found safe after seven weeks adrift at sea in an open aluminum dinghy.

Benjamin Tooki and his two companions, were picked up by a fishing vessel near Tabiteuea atoll in the southern Gilberts group last Thursday.

An extensive air and sea search was carried out after the men had been reported missing on the second of January whilst sailing between Maiana and Tarawa.