Orion continues search for teens

A Royal NZ Airforce Orion. Photo / Supplied

A Royal New Zealand Air Force Orion will today continue its search for three Tokelauan teens missing in a small runabout since early yesterday.

The two 15-year-olds and a 14-year-old went missing from the village of Atafu about 1am local time.

They were last seen some hours earlier searching for fuel for their small aluminium boat, which had an 18 horsepower outboard motor.

The P3K Orion maritime search aircraft was yesterday diverted to provide assistance to Tokelauan authorities.

Rescue Co-ordination Centre New Zealand spokesman Lindsay Sturt said the Orion had so far covered about 60 per cent of the search area but had not yet found the boys.

"They're just taking a rest at the moment and a change of crew," he said.

The Orion would resume searching for the boys about 10am today.

A Samoan Navy vessel was due to arrive in the area after midday.

- NZPA