Asylum seeker boat intercepted

24 Jun 2012, 4:59 pm   -   Source: AAP

Australian authorities have intercepted another boat carrying suspected asylum seekers southwest of Christmas Island.

Australian authorities have intercepted another boat carrying suspected asylum seekers southwest of Christmas Island.

Home Affairs Minister Jason Clare said HMAS Leeuwin stopped the vessel on Sunday. It was initially spotted by a Customs surveillance aircraft.

"Initial indications suggest there are 60 people on board," Mr Clare said in a statement.

"The passengers will now be transferred to Christmas Island where they will undergo initial security, health and identity checks."

News of the latest boat arrival came as authorities announced on Sunday afternoon all search and recovery operations had been wound up following Thursday's capsizing of an asylum seeker boat between Christmas Island and Indonesia.

A total of 17 bodies have been plucked from the ocean but there are fears as many as 90 people may have drowned.

It's thought there were about 200 people on board and only 110 were rescued. They are mainly from Afghanistan and Pakistan. All are male.

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