Indonesian boat capsizes, 90 asylum seekers missing
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A boat carrying about 200 people capsized south of Indonesia and scores were feared drowned Thursday in an apparent attempt to reach Australia to seek asylum. Indonesian and Australian navies launched efforts to rescue survivors.
According to a Washington Post report, four Indonesian and Australian warships, four merchant ships and five Australian government aircraft were searching in 2-meter (7-foot) swells, Australian Maritime Safety Authority spokeswoman Jo Meehan said. All on board were male and about 90 were missing since Thursday’s accident.
The boat capsized about 120 miles north of Christmas Island.
Australian Home Affairs Minister Jason Clare said most of the men were from Afghanistan. Christmas Island, in the Indian Ocean is a popular target for a growing number of asylum seekers, many from Iran, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, who attempt to reach Australia on overcrowded fishing boats from Indonesia.
