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Family of shipwreck orphan found

Two aunties of a child orphaned when the boat he was on was wrecked on Christmas Island have also now arrived on boats.

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Source: AAP


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Two aunties of a child orphaned when the boat he was on was wrecked on Christmas Island have also now arrived on boats.

The boy is one of three children left orphaned after a wooden asylum-seeker boat was smashed to pieces on rocks at Christmas Island last Wednesday.

An immigration spokesman said the boy would be reunited with his aunts who had since arrived on Christmas Island on other boats. Psychologists are guiding the department on the reunion, the spokesman said.

The boy reportedly is from Iran but the department says it cannot confirm the boy's nationality. He was one of 42 survivors rescued after the boat disintegrated when it was washed against the island's rugged shores in rough seas.

It is thought 48 people perished.

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Authorities believe as many as 90 people were on the boat but Prime Minister Julia Gillard has said it may never be known exactly how many people were on the boat and some of the bodies may never be recovered.

Three boats have been intercepted since last week's shipwreck that claimed up to 50 lives.


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