3 men rescued from Pacific island after writing SOS in sand

pacific-sos-rescue

In this photo provided by the Australian Defence Force, an Australian Army helicopter lands on Pikelot Island in the Federated States of Micronesia, where three men were found, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2020, safe and healthy after missing for three days. The men were missing in the Micronesia archipelago east of the Philippines for nearly three days when their "SOS" sign was spotted by searchers on Australian and U.S. aircraft, the Australian defense department said. (Australian Defence Force via AP)

pacific-sos-rescue

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Three men have been rescued from a tiny Pacific island after writing a giant SOS in the sand that was spotted from above. The men had been missing in the Micronesia archipelago for nearly three days when their distress signal was spotted on an uninhabited island by searchers on Australian and U.S. aircraft. The men were found in good condition, and an Australian military helicopter landed on the beach and give them food and water. A Micronesian patrol vessel was due to pick them up. SOS is an internationally recognized distress signal that originates from Morse code.