Fifteen rescued after drifting over one month in Pacific

Fifteen people believed lost at sea in northeast Papua New Guinea have been rescued in the Solomon Islands after drifting for over one month at sea.

Local Papua New Guinean newspaper the Post Courier on Thursday reported the group were rescued by Solomon Island authorities earlier this week after suffering engine trouble on their transit between New Ireland province and Lihir Island -- approximately 50 kilometers away -- in the country's north on April 4.

Tragically, one of the women has died from dehydration, while two others have been transferred to Honiara General Hospital in the Solomon Islands suffering from serious illness after for one month, six days at sea.

Authorities have refused to release further details until relatives and local provincial authorities are notified.

(APD)