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Boat 'carrying 200 sinks off Australian island' | Boat 'carrying 200 sinks off Australian island' |
(40 minutes later) | |
Rescue efforts are under way after a boat believed to be carrying about 200 asylum-seekers capsized off Christmas Island, Australian officials say. | |
The Australia Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) said the boat sank in Indonesian waters, 120 nautical miles (220km) north of the island. | The Australia Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) said the boat sank in Indonesian waters, 120 nautical miles (220km) north of the island. |
At least 40 people have been seen on the hull of the vessel, but police said many others were feared to have died. | |
Indonesian and Australian rescue vessels were in or heading to the area. | |
"There were about 200 refugees on board we think. Currently there's about 40 on the hull and the rest are in the water," said Western Australia police commissioner Karl O'Callaghan. | |
"Some of the very early reports suggest that up to 75 people may have drowned, but I do stress that they are unconfirmed at this stage," he said. | |
Christmas Island lies off Australia's north-west coast. It is closer to Indonesia than Australia, and is targeted by asylum-seekers hoping to get to Australia. | |
These boats are often over-loaded and poorly maintained. About 50 asylum-seekers died when their boat broke up on rocks off Christmas Island in December 2010. | These boats are often over-loaded and poorly maintained. About 50 asylum-seekers died when their boat broke up on rocks off Christmas Island in December 2010. |
Jo Meehan, a spokesperson for AMSA, said that an Australian customs surveillance aircraft alerted had them to the capsized boat. | Jo Meehan, a spokesperson for AMSA, said that an Australian customs surveillance aircraft alerted had them to the capsized boat. |
She said three merchant vessels and two Australian patrol boats were in or near the area and that these had night searching capabilities that could aid in the rescue. | |