110 survivors plucked from asylum boat

22 Jun 2012, 7:43 am   -   Source: AAP
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A large-scale rescue operation with multiple ships and aircraft is underway north of Christmas Island, where authorities hope to add to the tally of 110 suspected asylum-seekers plucked from the sea.

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Home Affairs minister Jason Clare has told the media of the size of the rescue operation underway north of Christmas Island, where a suspected asylum vessel has capsized.

He said rescucers have picked  up 110 survivors from an asylum seeker boat that capsized on its way to Australia from Sri Lanka with up around 200 people on board.

Mr Clare said that early reporting suggested that all the passengers were male. One thirteen -year-old boy had been rescued, while the bodies of three adult men had been recovered.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority, which is working with Indonesia's search and rescue authority BASARNAS, said search and rescue operations have continued throughout the night.

Two Australian navy patrol boats, HMAS Larrakia and HMAS Wollongong, are already involved.

Three aircraft will provide support - an AMSA plane, an airforce craft and also a customs plane

Mr Clare also said that four merchant vessels are on their way to assist in what the minister referred to as a 'critical window.' It is thought that with a water temperature of 29c, there is a good chance of more survivors.

The 110 survivors have been taken to Christmas Island, which quickly activated its emergency management plan and prepared its hospital and medical staff.

Earlier, Prime Minister Julia Gillard spoke with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in Rio de Janeiro, where they are attending a UN environment conference.

"At this stage details are sketchy but what is apparent is there has been a large loss of life at sea," Ms Gillard told reporters.

"This is a very distressing and tragic incident."

Home Affairs Minister Jason Clare will make a statement on Friday morning.

Acting Prime Minister Wayne Swan is in charge of security arrangements.

The disaster began to unfold after 3pm (AEST) on Thursday, when an Australian Customs and Border Protection surveillance plane spotted a vessel "in distress" 200km north of Christmas Island.

The observers immediately contacted Indonesian authorities, who are leading the rescue effort alongside the Australian navy, defence and customs.

In December 2010, more than 50 asylum seekers died when a boat known as SIEV 221 crashed against rocks off Christmas Island.

The youngest was just three months old.

The disaster was the largest loss of life in Australian waters in peacetime in 115 years.

Last December, as many as 200 people drowned when an overloaded boat sank off the coast of East Java on its way to Australia.

Just 49 people survived that tragedy, which occurred in rough monsoonal seas on December 17.

So far this year, 57 boats carrying a total of 4006 passengers and 82 crew have arrived in Australia.

For the month of June, there have been 18 boats carrying more than 1100 people.

The latest arrived arrived overnight on Thursday and had 117 people on board.

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Your Comments

How many women and children drowned?

Karen - from Brisbane, 12 months ago

It seems strange to me that only men and one teenage boy have been rescued and there is no reports on the sex of the bodies that have been found or of the 90 odd people still missing. If there were women and children on board how come they weren't given the life jackets first?

Plucking Is Mean

Tucker - from Bendigo, 1 year

So we rescue this asylum seeker just too pluck them like chickens? That seem silly and pointless, why save them just to torcher them? It is sad the people who dyed have dyed. Thay didn't need too. For them people who think we shold just let them drown in water that is mean. Imagine if your brother was born oversees with diffrent parents and tryed to come here. You want him too,Its nearly as bad as plucking them. And I don't understand. Do Indonesians have feathers. Or are we plucking there hairs

To David from VIC

David - from Sydney, 1 year

You ask why is it our problem. Hopefully I can explain. Firstly it's a humanity responsibility, loss of human life is every humans responsibility. We speak out against China's human rights record despite it being Chinese people who are prosecuted because they are fellow humans. Now since these humans are drowning near us then we must act. Secondly, refugees are fleeing wars that Australia are involved in, Iran & Syria took a million in ea, can u live with us taking in few thousands?

our problem?

John - from Nangiloc, 1 year

With you Dave on this.Why indeed are we taking these people to Christmas Island. The boat was/is in Indonesian waters so responsibility for them lays with the Indonesian govt not the Aus govt. Rather odd they are all supposedly male also. Maybe we should save ourselves the waste of money/manpower etc and just start flying them direct to Aus.Dont take a boat take Quantas.

what about the refugees on a waiting list?

whatever - from nsw, 1 year

If it is true that 18 boats arrived in June alone. That's nearly one everyday. Are boat people getting 1st preference because they paid for the trip, over refugees patiently waiting on a list? I don't get it!

Charity starts at home

ernie - from geelong, 1 year

Another waste of taxpayers money for illegal gatecrashers. How about using our resources to help our own people that need help instead of these parasites.

where does the buck stop ?

L Fini - from Leichardt, 1 year

At the risk of distressing Ms Gillard further, how much responsibility will her government accept for this inevitable tragedy?

were's Sarah Hanson-Young when we need her ?

Jean-Paul - from Strathfield, 1 year

Probably a silly, insensitive question but how many of these illegals were picked up by Indonesian rescuers ?

Why?

David - from Vic, 1 year

Why is this Aus problem when it is not in our waters? Why were they only men and not women? So far everyone rescued had life jackets? Funny about that. Open door policy continues....

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