AAP General News (Australia)
12-13-2000
Fed: Up to 163 illegal immigrants feared drowned
Immigration Minister PHILIP RUDDOCK says up to 163 illegal immigrants are feared drowned
off Australia's north coast.
He says credible reports from Indonesia say two boats of immigrants embarked on the
short trip from Indonesia to Ashmore Reef in Australian waters last week but have failed
to arrive.
He says a Japanese tanker reportedly picked up four survivors from a boat carrying
87 people, while the other boat was understood to have 80 passengers on board.
Mr RUDDOCK says they left in appallingly bad weather and he's asked for appropriate
agencies to undertake further investigations.
He says the organiser of the smuggling racket has heard about the disappearance of
the boats and fled Indonesia.
He says the fact the people-smuggling racketeers risked bad weather off Australia's
coast suggested they're inexperienced.
AAP RTV jb/daw/jx/jn
KEYWORD: BOAT (CANBERRA)
2000 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
No comments:
Post a Comment