Eight people safely back on land after drifting for 7 days

EIGHT people who drifted in a dinghy for seven days at sea after their boat engine ran out of fuel are safely back on dry land.
According to the Manalos Aviation Facebook page, the eight were mostly from Mandok Island in Tewai-Siassi, and Godowa in Finschhafen, Morobe.
They left Finschhafen on Sunday Feb 9 for Mandok Island when they encountered the problem.
They drifted for seven days in the open sea until they reached the beach at Ambasi village, Oro Bay rural local level government in Ijivitari, Northern last Saturday.
Manolos Aviation, which this month has already conducted medical evacuation for 20 sick people, was requested to pick up five of the eight from Ambasi village yesterday.
They were flown to the Manolos heliport in Lae at 3pm yesterday before their flight to the Braun Rural Hospital in Finschhafen at 4pm.
“After a helicopter refuel, the five survivors were flown to Braun Rural Hospital in Finschhafen where they were reunited with their families,” the posting said.
“They thanked everyone who have put in the effort to ensure they returned safely to their loved ones.
“The team at Manolos have praised them for their faith and bravery to survive despite the wind and waves.”