Earlier today, Prime Minister Tony Abbott ignored reporters seeking information on up to 90 deaths after an asylum boat sank off the coast of Indonesia. Up to 70 asylum seekers are still missing, feared drowned, after their boat broke up and sank en route to Australia. At least 22 people, mostly children, are confirmed drowned after the boat, which was believed to be carrying about 120 passengers, struck rough seas on Friday off the coast of Java. One of the passengers, a Lebanese man, had reportedly lost his pregnant wife and eight children in the disaster. Just 25 of those aboard had been rescued before efforts to locate survivors were postponed last night due to failing light. The remainder were still in the water. The boat broke up after it began taking on water about 6pm AEST. The tragedy unfolded as the government sought to return two rescued groups to Indonesia. Prime Minister, Mr Tony Abbott, ignored reporters when asked about the tragedy shortly after he addressed a sporting function this morning.
Posted on: Sat, 28 Sep 2013 11:21:04 +0000
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