5 Japanese divers rescued after 3 days clinging to Indonesia reef; 2 still missing

BALI, Indonesia -- Five of the seven Japanese scuba divers who had been missing off Indonesia's resort island of Bali since last week were found alive Monday, police said.

Local police chief Maj. Nyoman Suarsika said the five women were discovered by fishermen on a coral reef near Nusa Penida island.

He said one person was in critical condition and was flown by helicopter to a hospital in Jimbaran, a fishing port. The four others would be evacuated by boat, he said.

Rescuers were continuing to search for the other two divers.

The group of six women and one man, including two instructors, disappeared Friday afternoon while diving around mangroves off Bali's southeast coast when strong winds and heavy rain hit the area. Poor weather hampered rescue efforts.

Nusa Penida is about 12 miles east of Denpasar, Bali's capital.