FIVE people, including two children, have been rescued on Fanning Island in Kiribati after close to three months at sea.

Their boat had drifted an estimated 5400 kilometres from the Federated States of Micronesia.

The US Coast Guard in Micronesia suspended its search on August 9 after 10 days, covering 25,000 nautical miles with the help of US Navy and Air Force aircraft.

The survivors were among nine people who left Murilo for Ruo on July 30 for a journey expected to take an hour before being caught in a storm. Villagers on Fanning Island spotted their boat on Sunday and took them ashore.

Local MP Kaotitaake Rakoroa said the group had received medical treatment and was being cared for by the local Uniting Church pastor. He recommended they travel to Kiritimati Island for further treatment.

The fate of the other four passengers remains unknown.

Chuuk State Governor Alexander Narruhn said he had asked the Federated States of Micronesia’s President to begin talks with Kiribati to take the survivors home.

The survivors have yet to speak publicly about their ordeal and have asked for privacy.

Family members told the ABC they had been in contact with some of the group.

The rescue is the latest of several in Kiribati waters.