106 rescued from sinking asylum-seeker boat
Two people are reported to have minor injuries. Search and rescue operations continue, says AMSA spokeswoman.
Australian navy personnel transfer Afghanistan asylum-seekers to a Indonesian rescue boat near Panaitan island, West Java on August 31, 2012 after the refugee's boat sunk. PHOTO: AFP
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) had earlier reported a boat with approximately 105 people on board was in trouble.
It did not say if everyone had been accounted for, only that the rescue operation was continuing.
AMSA received a request for assistance from someone onboard the boat Tuesday morning. A navy ship and a customs and border protection aircraft responded.
A merchant vessel also joined the rescue effort.
"The vessel was upright, but partially submerged. A number of people were sighted in the water," an AMSA spokeswoman said.
As at 5:30 GMT, HMAS Parramatta has reportedly recovered 106 people from the water.
"Two people are reported to have minor injuries. Search and rescue operations continue."
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