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Last Updated : 2024-03-29 15:14:00
Another boat sinks near Christmas Island
According to breaking news reports, a vessel with more than 100 asylum seekers on board has capsized near the Christmas Island.
The Australian Maritime and Safety Authority said rescue operations were continuing.
"We are rescuing survivors," an AMSA spokeswoman told AAP.
A few days ago a similar vessel with some200 suspected asylum seekers on board capsized near Christmas Island and some 150 were rescued .
A P-3 Orion plane is also on its way to the scene.
Two merchant vessels are already on the scene assisting in the rescue, the ABC reported.
The boat went down 107 nautical miles north of Christmas Island.
AMSA said it received a distress call via the Australian Federal Police on Tuesday morning at 6.17AM AEST. A merchant vessel arrived at 10.30AM, AMSA said.
The spokeswoman said the boat was in Indonesian waters in 'fair, but not ideal' conditions.
ABC correspondent Matt Brown said Indonesian authorities told him that it is mostly Afghans on the vessel, including a number of women and children.
Last week, a boat thought to have over 200 people on board went down in the same area; up to 90 people may have lost their lives, leading to another round of soul-searching, debate and deadlock amongst federal politicians.
Soon after the news was announced, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott and Shadow Immigration Spokesperson Scott Morrison held a press conference to discuss legislation on offshore processing that they intend to put before parliament.
Tony Abbott said he was seeking to find common ground 'that could found a stronger policy response than that which the government currently believes is available to it.'
Labor backbencher Graham Perrett said on Twitter: "150 people in the water right now. That's one for every single elected free-thinking Member of the House of Reps."
Australian Greens deputy leader Adam Bandt also tweeted "terrible reports another boat capsized".
Independent MP Craig Thomson said there was a renewed sense of urgency to resolve the issue before parliament suspended for the winter break on Thursday.
"The current impasse between the parties is not working," he told AAP.
"We should not leave Canberra until we have resolved this issue."
Nationals MP Tony Crook said: "My conscience has certainly been pricked by this."
Independent MP Andrew Wilkie urged the parliament to act quickly.
"This parliament has to stop the problem. Both the government and opposition have to swallow their pride," he said. (Source: World news Australia)
Jawfer Wednesday, 27 June 2012 05:54 AM
People put their life in danger when they choose to go for refugee status. It is terrible when we hear these type of news every month.
VIS Jayapalan poet Sunday, 05 August 2012 09:50 AM
Tamils want to live. But current situation is functioning as pushing force and contribute to the increase of Sri Lankan boat people. . This also increasing chances of asylum seeking.
So GOSL have the irresponsibility to bring back genuine normalcy in the Tamil speeking ares. To achieve this government have to consider a few things seriously.
1Sri Lanka allow international institutions and NGOs to carryout rehabilitation and reconstruction in North East.
2. Withal of the Army and sincerely reestablishing civilian rule
3. Accept a federal political solution
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