'Up to 50' killed in Christmas Island crash

'Up to 50' killed in Christmas Island crash

news.ninemsn.com.au

As many as 50 asylum seekers have died and 33 have been injured when rough seas caused a fishing boat to crash off Christmas Island, the Royal Flying Doctor Service said.

Flying Doctors' spokeswoman Lesleigh Green, who was quoted in The Australian, said the death toll was not yet confirmed but reflected her current understanding of the situation.

(visit the link for the full news article)

www.couriermail.com.au...

www.dailytelegraph.com.au...

This is just happening. It's a terrible tragedy.
To have this happen on Christmas Island during the Christmas season is awful.
I hope as many possible can be saved.
I guess this highlights just how dangerous catching a rickety boat to Australia really is.
It says they were mainly Iraqis and Iranians.
These people are a long way from home. So sad that they didn't apply for asylum closer to home. Its a tragic waste all round.


news.ninemsn.com.au
(visit the link for the full news article)

OOPS, meant to post this in BREAKING NEWS. Wrong forum, hope the MODS can help out..

Here are a few youtube clips on the tragedy......

Originally posted by Flighty
It says they were mainly Iraqis and Iranians.

Hmm.. are they sure it was just an 'accident'? j/k
But really, I do hope most make it ok, that wouldn't be a pleasant way to go.

reply to post by casijones


Yeah I was a bit reluctant to "go there" as it's only just happened. I was wondering the same thing myself.
I guess when more information on how it happened comes to light, it might shed some illumination on that area.
It seems the captain of the boat may have been experienced.

reply to post by Flighty


I was thinking the same thing about the captain.. In the 2nd vid the boat seems like it's just sitting there next to the cliffs. I'm no boat expert or anything, but I figure in those kinds of rough waters why it would just be sitting there like that, so close.

reply to post by casijones


Apparently from what I've read, the waters at this time of year are pretty treacherous.
So lack of experience with the local terrain definately paid a part in the accident.
Will be interesting to see though, where the ultimate blame will lie.
I'm sure the Australian government will be blamed in some way shape or form.
Seems it's always the way when these kind of boat people/refugee tragedies occur.

Its really sad too that those who escaped the impact of the boat hitting the rocks, were crushed against them while trying to swim ashore...

Oh well, that saved the aussie tax payer a fortune.