7 Feb 2019

French navy rescues yachties from uninhabited Kiribati island

12:01 pm on 7 February 2019

Three people sailing a yacht have been rescued by a French ship after they sent a distress signal from an uninhabited island in Kiribati last weekend.

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Photo: 123rf

The French High Commission in French Polynesia said the maritime surveillance vessel Bougainville was sent to their rescue because no commercial ship was in the zone to help the US yacht Respite.

It said it took the ship two days to reach Flint Island where the three yachties had found shelter.

Earlier a reconnaissance aircraft had established contact with the the three whose yacht had run aground.

The Bougainville is expected to reach Rangiroa today to drop them off.