Boat intercepted near Christmas Island

A boat carrying 54 suspected asylum seekers has been intercepted by the Navy north of Christmas Island.

asylum_seekers_boat_Christmas_island_b_111013_aap_1892088134

1 min read

Published 9 November 2011 6:22am

Updated 26 February 2015 5:01am

Source: AAP

Share this with family and friends

HMAS Pirie, operating under the control of Border Protection Command, intercepted the boatload of 54 passengers and three crew on Tuesday north-east of Christmas Island, Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor said.

The boat was detected by an RAAF patrol aircraft ahead of its interception.

Passengers will be transferred to Christmas Island for security, health and identity checks and their reasons for travel will be established.

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.