Baby dead, 8 missing after refugee boat sinks en route to Australia
Source: Japan Today
SYDNEY —
A baby died and eight people were missing after a people-smuggling boat carrying 97 sunk in remote seas, Australian officials said Saturday, as authorities searched for survivors.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd described it as a “genuine human tragedy” which underscored the importance of a regional response to people-smuggling, with hundreds dying in recent years in refugee boat accidents.
The vessel, which capsized some 87 nautical miles north of Christmas Island, first issued a distress call in rough seas between Australia and Indonesia on Friday morning, Home Affairs Minister Jason Clare told reporters.
Rescuers were unable to reach the scene until 10 p.m., and a short time later Clare said a huge wave broke over the boat and it began to sink.
Read more: http://www.japantoday.com/category/world/view/one-dead-88-rescued-after-refugee-boat-sinks-en-route-to-australia
