Suspected people smugglers arrested

28 July 2013 11:07 am

Indonesia's national police spokesman has confirmed the arrest of four suspects involved in last week's sinking of the boat carrying asylum seekers from Sri Lanka Afghanistan and Iraq.

The boat sank in rough seas off the coast of Java, with more than 200 people on board, killing at least 15 people.

Brigadier General Ronny Sompy says four Indonesian men have been detained.

It is understood they played a part in organising the boat and helping the asylum seekers board.

The captain of the boat is still at large.

The boat sank off Cidaun on the south-west Java coast after leaving a fishing village earlier in the day.

The vessel only got a few kilometres out to sea before hitting heavy easterly winds. (ABC News)