Australia intercepts suspected people smuggling vessel with more than 100 people on board

[News_Editor]

Australia intercepts suspected people smuggling vessel with more than 100 people on board

2010-11-17 07:12:04 GMT+7 (ICT)

SYDNEY (BNO NEWS) -- The Australian Border Protection Command on Wednesday morning intercepted a suspected people smuggling vessel carrying more than 100 people, authorities said.

HMAS Larrakia, operating under the control of Border Protection Command, intercepted the vessel north of Christmas Island. The vessel was carrying 116 passengers and two crew members.

The groups were transferred to Christmas Island where they will undergo security, identity and health checks and their reasons for travel will be established.

And while their nationality has not yet been confirmed, their claims will not be considered for at least three or six months if the asylum seekers are Sri Lankans or Afghans due to a processing suspension introduced by the Australian government earlier this year.

This suspension was introduced because of the evolving circumstances in these two countries. The Australian Government believes that asylum seekers should only be granted the right to live in Australia if they are genuinely in need of protection.

Last Thursday, the ACV Triton intercepted another vessel north of the Ashmore Islands. That ship was carrying 39 passengers and three crew members, who were also transferred to Christmas Island.

The vessel was initially detected by a Customs and Border Protection Dash 8 surveillance aircraft, operating under the control of Border Protection Command.

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