A woman enjoying a stroll along a beach near Galway Bay made an unusual discovery that prompted her to alert the authorities. She found a sealed bottle containing a mysterious message, which she believed could be a genuine distress call.
The Discovery
The bottle, washed ashore with a cork and wax seal, emitted a pungent smell and had a flaky residue on its exterior. Inside, a note written in a combination of languages appeared to be a plea for help. After partially deciphering it, the woman decided to hand it over to police to be safe, despite speculation it might be a hoax.
Translation Efforts
Sharing her find on Reddit, she wrote: "We managed to translate some of it. Seems to be Indonesian. [It reads]: 'Please send help we are lost since 12/20 there are 3 of us here we don't know the name of this island we are injured'." She added that a Chinese symbol translated to "plum" via Google Lens, but she was unsure of its accuracy. The bottom part with the number 18 remained untranslated, leading her to wonder if it was a name and age.
Public Reaction
While some dismissed it as a prank, others urged caution. One commenter noted that if genuine, ocean currents could help identify the island. Another said: "Worst case scenario, it's a prank. Best case scenario, you save somebody's life. Handing in the note is the right move." A third expressed hope that the three individuals are still alive.
One user speculated: "Imagine this is real. These three men are on an island all by themselves, no idea where they are, and this is their best hope. It's been four years." A more complete translation revealed the message includes "Tolong kirimkan bantuan!" (Please send help), "HELP HELLO SOS," and signatures: "Li," "Toine," and "Yu Sing 18."
The woman intends to submit the note to police, hoping it might lead to a rescue if the message is authentic.
