Australia aids boat in distress south of Indonesia
By the CNN Wire Staff
July 4, 2012 — Updated 0326 GMT (1126 HKT)
On Wednesday July 4, Australian authorities said they located a boat carrying between 130 and 180 people northwest of Christmas Island and south of the Indonesian island of Java.
Rescued suspected asylum seekers arrive at Christmas Island, south of Indonesia, on June 22, 2012, after their boat capsized spilling everyone on board into the water.
The boat was carrying about 200 people and Australian authorities believe all the passengers were male.
So far, rescuers have saved 110 people from the ship, authorities say. Survivors have been transfered to Christmas Island.
In addition to Australian relief efforts, Indonesia has sent two warships to assist the rescue.
Australian Home Affairs Minister Jason Clare said that one 13-year-old boy was among those rescued. All the rest were adults.
Mujtaba Ahmadi was just 15 years old when he left his family in Iran to flee to Australia. He spent months in detention centers on Christmas Island and Darwin before settling in Sydney.HIDE CAPTION
Boat located near Christmas Island
Australia’s asylum seeker debate
Australia’s asylum seeker debate
Barge carries survivors rescued from boat crash
Australia’s asylum seeker debate
Australia’s asylum seeker debate
Australia’s asylum seeker debate
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STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Vessel in distress south of Indonesia
- Australia assisting search and rescue operation
- No word whether passengers are asylum-seekers
(CNN) — A Royal Australian Navy vessel Wednesday located a boat in distress south of Indonesia and was poised to help with a rescue if it became necessary, authorities said.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority said between 130 and 180 people were believed to be on board the boat south of Java and northwest of Christmas Island.
The crew of HMAS Wollongong did not board because of weather conditions, but it was monitoring the boat’s safety, the authority said in a statement.
It was not clear whether the occupants were asylum-seekers, among many who attempt the risky trip by boat to Australia each year.
Australia tries to salvage asylum plan
The maritime authority did not immediately respond to messages left by CNN.
A close look at the plight of refugees
More than 200 people were pulled from the sea near Christmas Island, north of Australia, after two accidents last month.
There was no firm death total because authorities don’t have an accurate count of how many people were on board.
Christmas Island is a remote territory northwest of the Australian mainland, close to Indonesia.
Several ships carrying people seeking asylum in Australia have run into trouble near the island in the past two years.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono this week discussed ways to combat the asylum problem.
Gillard pledged Australia will help Indonesia increase its ability to communicate with merchant ships “during safety of life at sea incidents.”
The Australian Senate recently rejected a bill that would have revived plans to process asylum-seekers in offshore detention centers. Read more on the Senate vote
The bill’s defeat leaves the country without an effective response to attempts by asylum seekers to enter the country.
The dilemma of what to do with thousands of asylum seekers who attempt the trip each year has long divided Australia’s political parties, and its people.
CNN’s Hilary Whiteman and Joyce Joseph contributed to this report.
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