Boat death toll rises to 5

23 Jun 2012, 1:52 pm   -   Source: AAP
Share This
0 
+ Comment
0
Asylum seekers arrive at Christmas Island after the boat they were travelling on capsized. (AAP)

Asylum seekers arrive at Christmas Island after the boat they were travelling on capsized. (AAP)

Two more bodies have been found in the search for survivors, after a boat carrying asylum seekers capsized en route to Australia.

RELATED

Rescuers have found two more bodies from a capsized asylum seeker boat, bringing the death toll to five.

But ninety passengers from the overcrowded boat are still unaccounted for.

One hundred and nine people have been rescued since the crowded vessel capsized on Thursday afternoon about halfway between the Indonesian island of Java and Christmas Island.

Transport Minister Anthony Albanese briefed reporters on the latest developments in Sydney on Saturday afternoon.

Authorities says it is unlikely more survivors will be found.

Poor weather was hampering Saturday's search, which resumed at first light, Mr Albanese said.

The tragedy prompted Liberal MP Mal Washer to call on Opposition leader Tony Abbott to consider supporting Labor's Malaysia Solution to prevent more asylum-seeker deaths at sea.

Mr Albanese also pushed for a speedy resolution on asylum-seeker policy.

"I note Dr Washer's genuine comments," he said.

"And I think certainly I am of the view, and the government is of the view, that we want to work together across the parliament to secure an outcome that reduces the possibility of a tragedy like this being repeated."

Labor's plan to process asylum seekers arriving by boat in Malaysia was stalled last year, because it did not get the Opposition's approval, which it needed to make the plan lawful.



 

Asylum Seeker , Christmas Island , Boat Tragedy , Australian Navy

  • Follow us: 
  • Follow us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Twitter
  • Follow us on Youtube

Join the Discussion

Name
City / Suburb E.g. Artarmon, Sydney
Title
Comment
You have characters remaining.
Validation
What's this?
This is a captcha-picture. It is used to prevent mass-access by robots.
All submitted comments become the property of SBS. They are moderated, so we reserve the right to edit comments and remove HTML tags. Not all submitted comments will be published. Publication does not mean we endorse the opinions expressed. Please read our terms and conditions for more information.