Four people from Peleliu, two men and two women, were rescued yesterday afternoon after their boat capsized en route to Koror. The group was taken to the hospital for evaluation and later released after being cleared, according to Curtis Elobt, Director of the Bureau of Public Safety.
The names of the individuals have not yet been released, but Director Elobt confirmed that they would be provided once available.
The boat departed from Peleliu with an estimated travel time of about 1.5 hours to Koror. When the boat failed to arrive on time, a search was initiated. Elobt reported that the four individuals were found clinging to the overturned boat. They suffered no major injuries, though they were treated for cold exposure and minor injuries.
The National Emergency Management Office had issued a small craft advisory, warning boats to avoid traveling within or outside the reef due to hazardous conditions.
Director Elobt noted that while the weather was calm when the boat left Peleliu, it encountered sudden gusts and rain near Koror, which caused the boat to capsize.
The Palau National Weather Service reported that Invest 96W has been upgraded to Tropical Depression 22W, located northwest of Yap and moving toward the Philippines. Tropical depressions are defined as tropical cyclones with maximum sustained winds of 38 mph or less.