Five people, including two children, found alive after three months adrift in a 20-foot boat in the Pacific

Five people, including two children, survived three months adrift in a small boat in the remote Pacific before being rescued, Fox News reports, citing authorities and reports from ABC (Australia), The Times of London and the AP.

They were among nine people who set out on July 30 for what should have been a one-hour crossing between the Micronesian islands of Murilo and Ruo. A sudden storm pushed the 20-foot skiff off course.

The U.S. Coast Guard searched more than 25,000 nautical miles across 31 search patterns before suspending the search on Aug. 10.

On Nov. 1, residents of Fanning Island in Kiribati spotted the boat drifting off their coast and brought the five ashore. They were severely malnourished and dehydrated, and a nurse treating them said they are improving.

Four passengers are still unaccounted for. Authorities have not said how the group survived. "Incredible and wonderful news," the Coast Guard told the AP. "We continue to pray for their four companions." Chuuk state Gov. Alexander Narruhn is arranging their return home with Kiribati.