BY MELVILLE TITIULU
Six Papua New Guinea nationals who went missing at sea have safely drifted ashore at Alokan in the Russell Islands after spending three weeks at sea.
According to a statement from the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) yesterday, the six men from Misima Island encountered bad weather.
Police said the group had earlier travelled from the PNG mainland to Misima Island after dropping off a teacher and a student.
“They encountered bad weather which caused poor visibility, and they were unable to sight Misima Island. They later ran out of fuel and drifted at sea,” the statement said.
The boat drifted from PNG waters into Solomon Islands waters before reaching Alokan in the Russell Islands.
Central Province Police Commander, Superintendent David Soakai, said people of Alokan sheltered the group and notified police and health authorities in Yandina.
“Police fast crafts were deployed to the Russell Islands to assist them to Honiara for proper arrangements for their return home,” Soakai said.
The RSIPF confirmed that the PNG High Commission in Honiara has been informed of the matter.
The six men are reported to be safe.
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