Australian authorities have intercepted a boat carrying 181 suspected asylum seekers off the coast of Christmas Island.
“The patrol boat HMAS Larrakia, operating under the control of Border Protection Command, boarded the vessel carrying 181 passengers and four crew at approximately 7.25pm (AEDT) on Monday,” the AAP has quoted Home Affairs Minister Brendan O’Connor as saying.
This is the eighth such incidents reported this year.
Those on board the vessel would be taken to Christmas Island where they would undergo security, identity and health checks and their reasons for travel established, he said.
The minister said that Australia was working with neighbouring countries to address the most serious issue of people smuggling.
“Agencies are working closely with their counterparts… exchanging and gathering information and strengthening our regional capacity to mitigate irregular migration to Australia,” O’Connor said.
“Our strengthened offshore approach is working.