At least 4 dead, 144 rescued after asylum seeker vessel capsizes off Christmas Island

[News_Editor]

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA (BNO NEWS) -- At least four killed while scores of others were rescued after an asylum seeker boat capsized off Christmas Island, Australian authorities said Wednesday.

The boat was carrying around 150 people when it capsized approximately 70 nautical miles off Chirstmas Island at around 6:40 p.m. local time, early Tuesday morning, although the Australian Navy had received requests to assist the vessel at 2:45 a.m.

Australian Home Affairs Minister Jason Clare confirmed the incident, Navy vessels approached the ill-fated vessel, which was at a complete stop with its engines not working, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported.

Passengers began jumping off the vessel as it started to lean on one side at approximately 6 p.m. local time. Forty minutes later, the boat rolled and capsized. Authorities confirmed four deaths and the rescue of 144 survivals, but their nationalities were not immediately known.

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