Two British nationals are among a group of 10 tourists who swam for over six hours to safety after their boat sank in rough seas off Indonesia. The group, which also included tourists from New Zealand, Spain, France, Germany and the Netherlands, swam to the island of Sangeang, where they survived by drinking their own urine and eating leaves before being rescued.
The boat, carrying 25 people, sank in a storm while travelling between Lombok and Komodo on 17 August. A search official confirmed that 13 people were rescued on Monday, including eight foreigners and five Indonesians. Two foreigners remain missing.
French survivor Bertrand Homassel recounted that six people were in a lifeboat, while others clung to the roof of the sinking vessel. After waiting until midday, the group decided to swim to the nearest island, which turned out to have an erupting volcano. They swam for six hours and were rescued on Sunday after attracting the attention of a passing boat.
The Foreign Office confirmed it is providing consular assistance to two British nationals hospitalised following the incident. A spokeswoman said: “We are aware that two British nationals have been hospitalised following an incident in West Nusa Tenggara, Eastern Indonesia, on 17 August. We are providing consular assistance.”
