AP: A 16-year-old Southern California girl attempting a solo sail around the world is feared in trouble in the southern Indian Ocean after her emergency beacons began signaling. Family spokesman Christian Pinkston says rescuers began searching for Abby Sunderland on Thursday somewhere between Africa and Australia. He says beacons activated overnight and there has been a loss of communication.

Abby set sail from Los Angeles County's Marina del Rey on Jan. 23 in an attempt to become the youngest person to sail around the world alone without stopping.

Abby soon ran into equipment problems and had to stop for repairs. She gave up the goal of setting the record in April, but continued on. Her website says she left Cape Town, South Africa, on May 21 and on Monday reached the halfway point of her goal.

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