Australia-Refugees -- Up to 163 illegal immigrants feared drowned off

Australia-Refugees -- Up to 163 illegal immigrants feared drowned off
DEUTSCHE PRESSE AGENTEUR

SYDNEY, DEC 13: Up to 163 illegal immigrants were feared to have drowned off Australia's north coast after two Indonesian fishing boats sank, officials said on Tuesday.

Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock said reports from Indonesia said two boats carrying illegal immigrants that set out on the short trip from Indonesia to Australia's Ashmore Reef last week had failed to arrive. He said a Japanese tanker reportedly picked up four survivors from a boat carrying 87 people, while the other boat was understood to have had 80 passengers on board. "They left in appallingly bad weather, and in circumstances where at this time of the year it is probably quite undesirable for people to be putting to sea," Ruddock said.

Ruddock said the organiser of the smuggling racket had heard about the disappearance of the boats and fled Indonesia. Up to 350 people may have drowned earlier this year when a boat disappeared on its way to Australia. Most of the boat people trying to make their way to Australia to claim refugee status are from the Middle East. "Last March, we estimate that one-third of boats attempting to bring people illegally to Ashmore Islands did not arrive. There are treacherous waters and some of the boats are not seaworthy." Ruddock said.