Suspected asylum seeker survivors arrive in Australian territory

Survivors from a boat that sank off the Cocos Islands arrived at the Australian territory of Christmas Island on Friday where they will be placed in mandatory detention.

The 27 survivors are believed to be Sri Lankan asylum seekers.

They arrived aboard the LNG Pioneer, a Bahamas-flagged tanker that responded to distress calls from the stricken vessel about 640km northwest of the Cocos Islands late on Sunday.

The boat, which had been on its way to Australia with 39 people aboard, sank at 11.15 pm on Sunday 350 nautical miles northwest of Cocos Islands, killing 12 of the suspected asylum seekers, including two boys aged 13 and 14.

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) said the health and well-being of the group was its first priority.

"While they appear to be in good physical health, they will now undergo thorough medical examinations to ensure any health issues are quickly identified," a DIAC spokeswoman said.

The number of asylum seekers on the island is now 1,151.

Source: Xinhua