Photo: Australian Maritime Safety Authority

The BBC reports that eleven Indonesian fishermen have been rescued after surviving for six days without food or water on a tiny island off Australia’s coast.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority said they were airlifted to safety on Monday from Bedwell Island, some 330km (205 miles) west of the town of Broome in Western Australia.

But nine others are feared dead.

The survivors said their two boats were hit by the powerful Tropical Cyclone Ilsa last week, sinking one boat.

Nine of the 10 crew members on that vessel are still missing.

The sole survivor is reported to have been in the ocean for hours, clinging onto a jerry can, before being picked up by the fishermen from the other boat, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported.

Indonesian fisherman shipwrecked on Bedwell Island near Western Australia, Tropical Cyclone Ilsa

Thanks to Alaric Bond for contributing to this post.