New Straits Times Online reported the four – namely Spaniards David Hernandez Gasulla and Martha Miguel, Chinese national Lam Wai Yin, as well as local Armella Ali, only suffered sunburn but needed no serious medical attention, except for Armella who also suffered from dehydration.
According to Navy Region Two Commander Rear Admiral Khairul Anuar Yahya, the boat the four were travelling in on May 2, capsized due to choppy seas, causing them to be set adrift on the overturned boat.
They were travelling to Kudat from Pulau Balambangan.
They were drifting in the open seas throughout the search operation, and despite calling for help when they spotted the team, their attempts were in vain. Their whereabouts remained undetected as the strong currents set them adrift fast.
They were found and rescued by Vietnamese fishermen at Layang-Layang Reef yesterday. Malaysian authorities were eventually notified and the four were flown to Kota Kinabalu this morning to be reunited with their families.