By MAMAMIA TEAM
Yet another vessel carrying asylum seekers is suspected to have capsized en route to Australia, and up to 13 people are dead and 55 missing. This is the timeline of events so far:
Last week, a vessel carrying around 70 asylum seekers disappeared off Christmas Island.
On Friday, an alarm was reportedly raised with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority by Customs – approximately 12 hours after debris had been spotted floating in the water.
And then yesterday, 9 bodies were found. The numbers have risen steadily since.
The boat disappeared on Thursday, northwest of Christmas Island, and a search involving Navy boats and RAAF planes failed to find any sign of the ship or its passengers.
Finally, on Friday night a plane saw what they suspected to be a body in a lifejacket floating in the water. When merchant ships arrived, they found debris in the water.
After the alarm had been raised, a spokesperson for Home Affairs Minister Jason Clare said on Saturday afternoon, “Border Protection Command assets are currently conducting a search approximately 65 nautical miles northwest of Christmas Island for a possible foundered vessel.”
The search is continuing, with Border Protection planes and a private aircraft scanning the waters, and the HMAS Warramunga as well as two merchant ships involved.
The incident has provoked continued criticism of Australia’s response to boats in distress.
Fairfax reported that former Australian diplomat Tony Kevin “asked why there was an almost 46-hour lag from the time the boat, with up to 60 people on board, was reported ‘overdue’ on its journey from Indonesia and the mounting of a search-and-rescue operation.”
The Refugee Rights Action Network told the ABC that this latest tragedy is evidence that the Government needs to change its border protection policy to ‘encourage the safe resettlement of refugees in Australia’.
Asylum seeker group Welcome to Australia tweeted, “As we mourn for those who died at sea tonight let us not pretend that punishing those who survive such a journey is an appropriate response.”
Today, Home Affairs Minister Jason Clare said in a statement, “This is another terrible tragedy. Another terrible reminder how dangerous these journeys [are] … Let me take this opportunity to thank the men and women of Border Protection command for their bravery and for the dangerous work that they do.”
Clare responded to criticism that Australia should have responded more quickly, saying, “The vessel was stationary but did not appear to be in distress. The advice to me is that Australian authorities did not receive a distress call from this vessel”.
The Minister also reported that the boat was carrying predominantly adult men, and some women and children were on board.
This is the second asylum seeker boat to capsize while on its way to Australia this year alone. In the previous sinking, a pregnant woman and a young boy died. Two boats capsized last year, and over 100 people were killed.
Authorities are continuing to search for survivors.
More details from Mamamia as they emerge.
Top Comments
The Lnp have consistently blocked any policy from the Gillard govt that could provide a regional solution. They have used these boat refugees as a very successful wedge against Labor knowing the increasing numbers will undermine their support in blue collar and ethnic areas. This has been supported by an enormous campaign through the Murdoch press and idiot commercial TV. The sheep will now go and vote for Abbott who will not stop the boats.
Consistently blocked the sending of women and girls to Malaysian refugee camps? Oh, the inhumanity!!
Government's Malaysia plan was send 800 there and take 4,000 back. Not a good deal.
Secondarily, there are 32,000 arrived since the announcement of the plan in late 2011 which has well truly filled the quota hundred times over.
ALP has never had genuine heart to fix this problem they foolishly caused.
A sovereign country which has no control it's border and its migration program is unacceptable.
People including women and children lured to death is unacceptable.
Genuine refugees who lost their places due to fee-paying boat people is unacceptable.
People smugglers profiting on people's misery is unacceptable.
Whatever the angle you look at it, this boat people compassion is so false and wrong.
This comment from Sipper just reinforces the fact that people only see what they want to see - and blame everyone else, including the "sheep" who will vote Liberal who disagree. How can anyone with an ounce of compassion support sending refugees to Malaysia whose own human rights record is so questionable? The Libs have always had clear, thorough and well thought out policies on boat people - unlike Labor who have flip flopped from one pie in the sky policy to another.
Like the 'turn the boats back' mantra? Because that's not what I would call 'well thought out".
Approximately 80% of boat people are still on the dole 5 years after they have arrived. Check the stats if you don't believe me. That is the reason they are coming here.
Absolutely correct.
Is that the reason or the result of them coming here? Big difference.