Asylum-Seeker Boat Founders Off Indonesia
A boat carrying around 50 people, thought to be asylum-seekers, has foundered off the Indonesian coast with people in the water, Australian authorities said on Wednesday.
Immigration Minister Scott Morrison said the government was aware of the incident near Cilograng, Indonesia, but no Australian authorities were involved in the rescue.
“We understand the incident occurred in close proximity to the Indonesian coast and Indonesian authorities are coordinating a search and rescue response,” Morrison said in a statement. “We understand there are reportedly 50 people on board the vessel and reports indicate some people have entered the water and that local fishermen are and have been assisting.”
The Sydney Morning Herald cited Indonesian search and rescue agency Basarnas as saying many of the passengers were still on board the ship, with five children saved by local fishermen so far.
Asylum-seekers arriving on unauthorized boats in Australia, often via Indonesia, are a sensitive issue for both sides.
Many have drowned attempting the precarious journey on rickety wooden vessels and Tony Abbott’s conservative government came to power in September on a platform which included turning back boats to Indonesia when it was safe to do so.
But Canberra’s military-led Operation Sovereign Borders has raised concerns in Jakarta with the issue flaring last week when Australia rescued some 60 asylum-seekers from a stricken vessel inside Indonesia’s search and rescue zone and Jakarta refused to take them back.
Source: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/
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