Afghan migrants held in Indonesia

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Police on the Indonesian island of Java say they have detained a group of about 40 Afghan migrants who were about to board a boat heading for Australia.

Their detention comes days after a boat carrying more than 60 Afghans trying to get to Australia was intercepted in southern Indonesia.

Indonesia has become a transit point for people fleeing war-torn countries like Afghanistan and Sri Lanka.

Many pay traffickers to take them to Australia in search of a better life.

Smugglers often use Indonesia to traffic people through to Australia, with hundreds arriving this year.

Last week, 22 Sri Lankan asylum seekers came ashore from an Australian customs ship anchored in Indonesia's waters.

They were among 78 ethnic Tamils on the Oceanic Viking, moored off Bintan island near Singapore, who had refused to leave the ship.

Indonesia agreed to take the asylum seekers last month as part of an agreement with Australia to cope with an influx of migrants to both countries.

In July, 74 Afghan migrants went missing after their boat sank in Indonesian waters.

In April at least three Afghan asylum seekers died and dozens were injured when the boat they were in exploded.