31 May 2003

Three washed ashore on Palau after ten days at sea

6:11 am on 31 May 2003

Three people have been washed ashore in Palau after floating for ten days in the open ocean from Indonesia.

All three are recovering well but were dehydrated after their plans to travel between islands went badly wrong.

Their canoe's makeshift engine failed during what was meant to be an hour long trip, the group had no fishing gear and there wasn't any rain.

They survived by drinking some coconuts.

Authorities in Palau says they will be returned to Indonesia but because they don't have any travel documents, the three will be sent back on a missionary boat next month.