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Australian authorities intercept suspected people smugglers
AFP - 2 hours 15 minutes ago
SYDNEY (AFP) - - Australian authorities said Sunday they had intercepted a suspected people-smuggling boat off the country's west coast, amid concerns about a rise in illegal immigration.
The vessel with 44 passengers and three crew was met by border protection officials off Western Australia's far north after being spotted by air force surveillance, Home Affairs Minister Bob Debus said.
Those onboard will be taken to remote Christmas Island where they will be detained while their immigration status is processed, he said.
"The nationalities and intentions of the people on board are yet to be determined and no significant health issues have been identified at this stage," Debus said in a statement.
The vessel was intercepted just days after Immigration Minister Chris Evans said that escalating violence in Afghanistan and Sri Lanka could result in more illegal immigrants making the hazardous voyage to Australia.
"The situation in Afghanistan has got very bad and as a result people are looking to flee," Evans told reporters on Friday.
"That is putting a lot of pressure as people seek to flee to Indonesia as a stepping stone to Australia."
Last week, a vessel carrying 35 suspected asylum seekers was spotted off Western Australia. That boat was the fifth to make it to Australian waters in recent months.
Debus said the government will strengthen border security by providing an additional navy vessel and surveillance aircraft to protect Australia's offshore maritime areas from illegal activity.
"People smugglers are taking advantage of good seasonal conditions and the extra border patrols will be kept in place to cover this period of activity," Debus said.
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