Four Australian surfers, and three Indonesian crewmen, disappeared in connection with a storm while they were out surfing in a remote part of Indonesia. 38 hours later, six of them were found alive in the middle of the open sea after an extensive search and rescue operation.
– We are so grateful that all four have been found, says a friend to one of the surfers, reports CNN.
It was on Sunday that the four Australians Steph Weisse, Will Teagle, Jordan Short and Peter Foote, together with three Indonesian crewmen, disappeared in connection with a boat trip to the Indonesian island of Pinang where they were going to surf.
They had been hit by a storm and rain and an extensive search and rescue operation was launched. 38 hours later they were found in the middle of the sea.
The moment was caught on film
In a video, you can see how a surf charter boat suddenly sees three of the four surfers bobbing on their surfboards – something that made both rescuers and those in distress cheer loudly.
A short while later, the fourth Australian, Elliot Foote, was also found. According to Foote’s father, Peter Foote, his son was separated from the group as he sought help.
– He left his friends bobbing on the water to seek help. The charter boat found them, and then they found Elliot. I’m really happy that everything went well and I hope he continues with his vacation, he told CNN.
The families pay tribute to the people on the boat
While Indonesian authorities led the search and rescue effort along with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs, the surfers’ families say it was thanks to the people on board the surf charter boat, who had knowledge of the currents in the area, that allowed their family members to be located.
In a statement on Tuesday afternoon, Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs stated that “the Government of Australia expresses its deep gratitude” to those involved in the search and rescue efforts, writes CNN.
Even the country’s foreign minister Penny Wong has expressed her gratitude in a tweet, and states that the government will “continue to provide support to the four Australians and their families”.
One person still missing
It is currently unclear how the two crewmen survived out at sea, according to NBC News.
The seventh person who went missing, also an Indonesian resident who was part of the crew, is still missing.
“Our thoughts go out to the family of the third crew member for whom the search continues,” a spokesperson for Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
The names of the Indonesian nationals have not yet been shared by the country’s authorities.