Five passengers from KM Nurul Salsa, which sank in waters off South Sulawesi, Indonesia, were found alive on Saturday after spending four days stranded at sea.
The survivors were rescued near Matallang Island after they were spotted by a passing fishing boat in the area.
According to Indonesia’s search and rescue agency, the five victims survived by holding onto a fish aggregating device used by local fishermen while waiting to be rescued.
Makassar Search and Rescue Office Chief Muhammad Arif Anwar said all five survivors had received medical treatment and undergone further health checks after being brought to safety.
He added that search and rescue operations are still ongoing for another 20 victims who remain missing following the incident.
Additional vessels and personnel from the search and rescue offices in Kendari and Maumere have also been deployed to strengthen the expanded search area.
Authorities are continuing efforts to locate the remaining victims as the operation enters its next phase.
