Boat with to 60 asylum seekers sinks in Indian Ocean; 9 bodies recovered so far

Published January 13, 2015

Authorities say a boat carrying up to 60 asylum seekers capsized in the Indian Ocean. At least nine bodies have been recovered and no survivors have yet been found.

Australian Customs says the submerged hull of the boat was spotted by the crew of a search plane on Friday 120 kilometers (75 nautical miles) northwest of Christmas Island, an Australian territory 500 kilometers (310 miles) south of Jakarta.

An Australian navy ship joined the search and recovered nine bodies Saturday. No survivors have been seen.

Australian Maritime Safety Authority spokeswoman Jo Meehan says up to 60 people are believed to have been aboard the boat, which was headed for Christmas Island. Their nationalities are unknown.

She says two ships and two airplanes resumed the search for survivors Sunday.

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