Fed: Another boat of asylum seekers intercepted

AAP General News (Australia)
04-22-2009
Fed: Another boat of asylum seekers intercepted

PERTH, April 22 AAP - Another boatload of asylum seekers intercepted off the West Australian
coast is being taken to Christmas Island, the federal government says.

HMAS Wollongong intercepted the vessel approximately 47 nautical miles southwest of
Barrow Island in an operation coordinated by Border Protection Command.

Home Affairs Minister Bob Debus said the 32 people on board were all Sri Lankan men.

"Today at 12.30 Canberra time, 10.30 Perth time, a vessel containing 32 people was
intercepted off Barrow Island by HMAS Wollongong," Mr Debus told reporters in Perth.

"The vessel had just entered our migration zone, that is to say the vessel had just
entered the zone that extends 33 nautical miles off our shore.

"The people on board will be transported to Christmas Island and as I speak to you
now I am told that the boat is secure and the operation is proceeding very successfully."

It is the seventh boat of asylum seekers to arrive in Australian waters this year and
comes after a vessel carrying 47 asylum seekers and two crew sank following an explosion
off the north Australian coast last week.

An investigation into the cause of the blast, which killed five people and injured
many more, is underway.

Mr Debus said the latest interception demonstrated the government's commitment to strong
border protection.

"The Australian government is committed to strong border security arrangements to deal
effectively and appropriately with people smugglers," he said in a statement released
earlier on Wednesday.

AAP ap/bd/mn/jlw

KEYWORD: BOAT INTERCEPTION SECOND UPDATE

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