'Castaway' fisherman's story investigated

The acting secretary of foreign affairs for the Marshall Islands has said he is somewhat sceptical of fisherman Jose Salvador Albarengo's account of being adrift for more than a year after meeting him yesterday.

Albarengo told officials he and a second fisherman set sail on a shark fishing trip from Mexico - 6,200 miles away - in late December 2012 but were blown out to sea. The second fisherman died but he says he went on to survive eating a diet of raw fish and turtle blood.

Gee Bing said: "It does sound like an incredible story, and I'm not sure if I believe his story. When we saw him, he was not really thin compared to other survivors in the past. I may have some doubts. Once we start communicating with where he's from, we'll be able to find out more information."

Mexican fishing boat owner Villermino Rodriguez Solis said Mr Albarengo and a companion had gone missing on November 18, 2012, which would imply the sea odyssey lasted more than 14 months.

"Here, his colleagues went out in boats to look for them. They spent four days looking for them," said Mr Villermino, who expressed surprise that Mr Albarengo had been found alive in the Marshall Islands.