Stranded fishermen return home

PALU, Central Sulawesi: Eight fishermen from Buton district, Southeast Sulawesi, who were stranded in the Philippines had returned home with the help of the local social office, an official said.

"The eight fishermen arrived here on Monday from Manado, North Sulawesi, and were sent home later in the day," head of the Central Sulawesi social office Mas'ud Bakri was quoted by Antara as saying on Tuesday.

They were stranded after their motor vessel, KM Sinar Tua, developed engine trouble while on its way from Ternate, North Maluku, to the northern coast of Irian Jaa. The vessel was then carried away by sea currents to the Pacific Ocean, he said.

They were helped by a United States Navy's ship which was on a routine patrol and received some medical treatment before being handed to the Indonesian diplomats in the Philippines, he added.

He said the eight fishermen were flown from the Philippines to Manado and Palu.