Eight Indonesian fishermen feared dead, 11 others rescued after cyclone

Fishermen from Indonesia stand on a beach on Bedwell Island, west of Broome, Australia (Australian Maritime Safety Authority via AP)

Eight Indonesian fishermen are feared to have drowned and another 11 have been rescued after spending six days without food or water on a barren island off the north-west Australian coast in the aftermath of a tropical cyclone.

Authorities said two wooden Indonesian fishing boats were caught in the path of Cyclone Ilsa, which on Friday became the most powerful storm in eight years to cross the Australian coast, with winds gusting at an apparent record of 180 miles per hour.