Four Aussies missing in Indonesia found alive, 'floating' in ocean
It's understood the boat they were travelling on ran into rough seas when they vanished on Sunday night.
Four missing Australians who vanished in Indonesia on Sunday night after the boat they were travelling on ran into rough seas have been found alive.
It's understood Steph Weisse, Will Teagle and Jordan Short were all found alive and "floating on surfboards" in the ocean, multiple media outlets reported.
The fourth missing Australian, Elliot Foote, had earlier left his mates in search of help, leading to a nervous wait for his family as good news started trickling in on Tuesday.
"It looks hopeful, he’s paddled off and left the group to look for help," his father Peter Foote told the ABC on early Tuesday afternoon.
"Apparently he tried to make it to an island for help but they know which island, where he is. I’m sure it will all turn out well. It’s fingers crossed but not confirmed so I can’t really start to celebrate just yet."
A text message shortly after reportedly confirmed he was also safe and well.
Mr Foote told reporters the message said "Hey dad, Elliot here, I am alive, safe now, love you, chat later. From Elliot". Mr Foote said he is waiting to speak to his son properly for official confirmation.
Wooden boat not yet located
The search party continues and the boat the group were travelling in has not been located. They had left in a wooden speedboat around Sarang Alu and Banyak islands in Aceh's Singkil district on Sunday before they failed to return.
Three crew members have also been accounted for, rescue teams have told the ABC.
They were part of a group of 12 Australian nationals and five Indonesians who were travelling to Pinang Island in two vessels.
The area is known as a tourist destination with white sand beaches and good waves for surfing.
The boats left North Nias port on Nias island, around 150km from Indonesia's Sumatra island on Sunday afternoon, before reportedly being hit by bad weather and heavy rain.
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It's understood the group was travelling in celebration of a 30th birthday when things took a dark turn on the boat ride.
Ten people in one boat sought shelter on Sarang Alu island while the others continued the trip, Nias Search and Rescue Agency said in a statement on Monday.
The resort on Pinang Island later reported to the agency that the boat with 10 passengers had safely arrived, but the other boat had not been seen.
The families of the missing Australians issued a statement earlier on Monday saying they were still holding out hope their loved-ones would be found.
Indonesia is an archipelago with more than 17,000 islands, and ferries and boats are a common form of transportation. With lax safety standards and problems with overcrowding, accidents occur frequently.
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