15 dead, 18 missing in Kiribati capsizeFifteen people have been confirmed dead and 18 are missing after a boat capsized in the Pacific nation of Kiribati Kiribati (kĭr'ĭbăs`), officially Republic of Kiribati (2005 est. pop. 103,000), 342 sq mi (886 sq km), consisting of 33 islands scattered across 2,400 mi (3,860 km) of the Pacific Ocean near the equator. last week, police reportedly said Wednesday. The head of the Kiribati police maritime service, John Mote, said 55 people were believed to have been on board a 17-metre (56-foot) double-hulled canoe canoe (kən  `), long, narrow watercraft with sharp ends originally used by most peoples. when it capsized last week, Radio New Zealand International Radio New Zealand International (RNZI) is the official international broadcasting station of New Zealand.It is New Zealand's only shortwave station, broadcasting to the Island nations of the Pacific. reported. A total of 22 people survived the incident, which happened as the canoe was taking passengers from the capital Tarawa to the island of Maiana, about 60 kilometres (37 miles) to the south, he said. The boat capsized during the attempted rescue of a crew member who fell into the water in rough conditions, officials said. Five people were able to swim ashore to raise the alarm. Kiribati groups 33 coral atolls straddling strad·dle v. strad·dled, strad·dling, strad·dles v.tr. 1. a. To stand or sit with a leg on each side of; bestride: straddle a horse. b. the equator, spread over an ocean area equal in size to the continental United States United States territory, including the adjacent territorial waters, located within North America between Canada and Mexico. Also called CONUS. . 
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