Moment of miracle rescue captured

The moment when help came for three Tokelauan teens who had been lost at sea for 50 days. Photo / Tai Fredricsen

This is the moment when help came for three Tokelauan teenagers who had been lost at sea for 50 days.

Cousins Samuelu Peleha, 15, Etueni Nasau, 14, and 15-year-old Filo Filo are pictured here looking towards the Sanford tuna boat, San Nikunau, realising for the first time that help has arrived.

The teenagers survived on several coconuts and a seagull that had landed on their vessel - which they ate raw.

They told rescuers later that they took it in turns to keep watch and spent most of their days praying to God to get them home.

The teenagers were admitted to hospital in Suva, Fiji, to get treatment for extensive sunburn and dehydration. They were still on a liquid diet with their bodies rejecting solid food.

The trio were also waiting for immigration issues to be cleared up and then would take the next boat back to Tokelau.

- NZ Herald staff