December 17th, 2011
07:55 PM ET

2 dead, dozens more missing after boat sinks off Indonesian coast

At least two people are dead and as many as 170 missing after a wooden boat carrying migrants to the Australian territory of Christmas Island sunk off the coast of Indonesia, a rescue official said early Sunday.

The boat was carrying more than 200 people when it left Indonesia's East Java province, according to Angipp Satoto of the Indonesian search-and-rescue team. Nearly 90 people were rescued from the water, he said.

Indonesian authorities are working with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority in the rescue efforts, Satoto said.

Most of those aboard the ship were Indonesians. Others aboard were of Afghan, Iranian, Turkish, French and Saudi Arabian origin, Satoto said.

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Filed under: Australia • Indonesia
soundoff (6 Responses)
  1. Portland tony

    This story,other than being a tragedy at sea, gives rise to the question of why these folks risked their lives as refugees. What were they fleeing from (or to) and why?

    December 17, 2011 at 8:41 pm | Report abuse |
  2. Yemini Cricket

    Just said they were migrating to christmas island. That's all. Sorry it sunk.

    December 17, 2011 at 9:15 pm | Report abuse |
    • Portland tony

      Well Merry Christmas.

      December 17, 2011 at 9:29 pm | Report abuse |
  3. Scottish Mama

    200
    – 90 rescued
    --
    110
    – 2 drowned
    -–
    108

    December 17, 2011 at 9:49 pm | Report abuse |
  4. T K

    Please check your facts
    Christmas Island is not closer to Philipines than Australia.
    Indonesians are not likely to be passengers on boat only crew.

    December 18, 2011 at 12:09 am | Report abuse |
  5. yumnun

    sad story

    January 6, 2012 at 4:35 am | Report abuse |
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