斐济六名卫生工作者乘坐的船只周三上午因引擎故障在恶劣海况中倾覆，他们在木板上漂浮36小时后于周四晚间获救[1]。这六人包括医生、牙医、护士、牙科助理、卫生检查员和同伴教育者，周三上午7点启程前往Oneata岛，原计划航程为两小时[1]。
救援船Lomaiviti Princess号在距离Lakeba岛11海里处发现了幸存者，并将他们安全撤离[1]。救援船队长Adriano Rabolabiu与幸存者Viliame Sama是高中同学[1]。所有获救人员已接受医学检查[1]。该失事船只未配备信标、无线电话或信号弹等安全设备[1]。搜救行动由斐济海军、警察部队和新西兰国防军共同参与[1]。
Six Fijian health workers were rescued after spending 36 hours clinging to wooden planks following a maritime disaster in the remote Lau Province.[1] The vessel carrying the group capsized on Wednesday in rough seas due to engine failure while en route to Oneata Island, a journey that should have taken approximately two hours.[1] The survivors remained adrift until Thursday evening, when they were spotted by the cargo ship Lomaiviti Princess 12 approximately 11 nautical miles (20 kilometers) from Lakeba Island.[1]
The rescued personnel included a doctor, dentist, nurse, dental assistant, health inspector, and peer educator.[1] All survivors were safely evacuated and are undergoing medical examination.[1] A notable connection emerged during the rescue when the captain of the rescue vessel, Adriano Rabolabiu, was revealed to be a high school classmate of survivor Viliame Sama.[1] The vessel lacked essential safety equipment, including a beacon, radio telephone, or signal flares.[1] Search and rescue operations involved the Fiji Navy, police forces, and the New Zealand Defence Force.[1]