FED:Another asylum seeker boat intercepted

AAP General News (Australia)
08-15-2011
FED:Another asylum seeker boat intercepted

CANBERRA, Aug 15 AAP - Border Protection Command has intercepted another asylum-seeker
vessel in Australian waters.

The navy patrol boat HMAS Albany intercepted the suspected irregular entry vessel north-west
of Christmas Island on Monday.

Initial indications suggest there are 59 passengers and two crew on board, he said.

"The passengers will be taken to Christmas Island for pre-transfer assessments, pending
removal to another country," Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor said in a statement.

It is the fourth vessel to arrive since Australia and Malaysia signed an asylum-seeker swap deal.

The latest arrival takes to 265 the number of asylum seekers earmarked for transfer
to Malaysia, pending a High Court challenge to be heard next week.

AAP mb/rl/jsh

KEYWORD: BOAT ARRIVE

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