SYDNEY: A fishing boat packed with 66 asylum-seekers evaded detection in a ‘shocking’ breach of border security to arrive at a busy port on the Australian mainland yesterday, officials said.
The vessel was spotted within the harbour limits of Geraldton in Western Australia, more than 2,000 kilometres (1,240 miles) south of Australia’s Indian Ocean territory of Christmas Island where asylum-seekers are usually intercepted.
“Customs and Border Protection have advised a suspected irregular entry vessel arrived within the harbour limits of Geraldton this afternoon,” Home Affairs Jason Clare confirmed.
“Initial indications suggest there are 66 people on board.”
The West Australian newspaper said the boat, with men, women and children on board, was from Sri Lanka and had been at sea for more than six weeks before arriving at the port 425 km north of Perth. — AFP