Posted on 04/15/2009 9:51:53 PM PDT by naturalman1975
ASYLUM-SEEKERS doused their boat in petrol before a dawn explosion that killed three people off the northwest Australian coast, West Australian Premier Colin Barnett says.
Mr Barnett said it was unclear how the flames ignited.
"It is understood that the refugees on the boat spread petrol and that ignited causing the explosion," Mr Barnett said.
Mr Barnett would not elaborate on the claim when questioned further.
The Commander of Border Protection Command, Rear Admiral Allan du Toit, would not comment on the cause.
“I really can’t speculate on the cause… I do emphasise that this is an ongoing incident," he said.
“The boat was not being refuelled at the time.”
Australian Navy personnel are also believed injured after the blast which occured as the boat carrying 49 asylum-seekers was being towed to Christmas Island.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.com.au ...
BTTT
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/04/19/2546606.htm
“Boat explosion a ‘wake-up call’ for immigration policy change”
Posted 4 hours 31 minutes ago
Updated 4 hours 19 minutes ago
SNIPPET: “Mr Logan says the asylum seekers have requested an imam be made available for spiritual guidance.
“I do understand they are still very much in shock but are pleased, no doubt, to have survived this terrible ordeal and now to be on safe and solid ground,” he said.
“Of course there is a long way ahead in terms of the immigration process. We need to establish their identity and do security checks.””
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