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
SYDNEY:
One hundred and six people were plucked to safety from a sinking asylum-seeker boat off Australia Tuesday, with just two suffering minor injuries, rescuers said.
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."
One hundred and six people were plucked to safety from a sinking asylum-seeker boat off Australia Tuesday, with just two suffering minor injuries, rescuers said.
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."