Posted on 04/15/2009 6:53:51 PM PDT by RDTF
WA police have confirmed three people are dead and two are missing after a boat carrying 49 asylum seekers to Christmas Island exploded.
WA Police Sergeant Greg Lambert confirmed the casualties, but it was unclear whether those killed were asylum seekers or navy personnel.
``It is believed an explosion has occurred in the engine compartment of a vessel,`` Sergeant Lambert said.
``It is believed that three people have been killed, two people are missing and others are injured, numbers are not yet known.''
The Home Affairs Minister Bob Debus is expected to release a statement and call a press conference soon.
Sergeant Lambert said a navy vessel was towing the stricken boat to Darwin, where the Royal Darwin Hospital has reportedly been placed on high alert.
WAtoday.com.au understands 46 of the 49 passengers on the boat may have been injured.
The boat was intercepted yesterday near Ashmore Reef off WA's north-west coast, and is believed to be carrying 49 people from Afghanistan.
It is the sixth boat of asylum seekers to arrive in Australian waters this year.
At Christmas Island, 379 people have been detained since September last year. They are believed to be largely from countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq and Sri Lanka
“...and is believed to be carrying 49 people from Afghanistan”
Yeah...another work accident.
Thank you RDTF for the ping.
I appreciate it.
ping
Send them ALL back. We made the mistake of letting too many into the USA.
I take it the boats are coming are coming Indonesia. Why can’t the Afghans stay there? Wouldn’t they be more comfortable in a Muslim society?
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