20/08/2013 09:12
Boat carrying around 100 asylum seekers sank in the Indian Ocean
A boat carrying around 100 asylum seekers sank in the Indian Ocean on Tuesday, with Australian officials hurrying to rescue passengers from the water, the Telegraph reports.
The boat sank about 220 kilometres (140 miles) north of Christmas Island, where Australia operates a detention camp for asylum seekers. There were an estimated 105 people on board, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority said in a statement.
The agency said it received a call for help Tuesday morning, and an Australian navy ship was sent to the scene. Rescue officials reported the asylum seeker boat had sunk when they arrived.
A merchant ship and rescue plane were also on the scene, and another Navy ship and plane were headed to the area to help.