Asylum-seekers 'dead, missing' in explosion on way to Christmas Island | National News | News.com.au
ASYLUM-SEEKERS doused their boat in petrol before a dawn explosion that killed three people off the northwest Australian coast, West Australian Premier Colin Barnett says.
Mr Barnett said it was unclear how the flames ignited.
"It is understood that the refugees on the boat spread petrol and that ignited causing the explosion," Mr Barnett said.
Mr Barnett would not elaborate on the claim when questioned further.
Home Affairs Minister Bob Debus said it wasn't yet possible to confirm Mr Barnett's claim.
"It is clearly a possibility that that is what occurred but we are not in the position to finally confirm whether that is so or not," he said.
He added: "There is much speculation and if the premier of Western Australia chooses to speculate without having the kind of evidence that we think to be necessary to draw a final conclusion, that is up to him."
The HMAS Albany was escorting the small, wooden fishing boat to Christmas Island when the explosion occurred at 6.30am (WST).
The asylum-seekers' boat was intercepted late yesterday morning near Ashmore Island and was thought to be carrying people 49 from Afghanistan.
The Commander of Border Protection Command, Rear Admiral Allan du Toit, also would not comment on the cause of the explosion.
"I really can't speculate on the cause… I do emphasise that this is an ongoing incident," he said.
"The boat was not being refuelled at the time."
Admiral Du Toit said there were three or four Navy personnel on board the boat at the time of the explosion. Sky News reported two Australian Defence Force members suffered minor injuries.
A West Australian Health spokeswoman said it was understood three people are dead, two are missing and 51 are injured.
Asylum seekers are now onboard HMAS Albany and HMAS Childers.
State Health co-ordinator Dr Andy Robertson said a number of casualties were expected at Truscott Airbase, near Kalumburu, where they would be met by medical teams from the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Broome and Derby Hospitals.
A spokeswoman for the Royal Flying Doctors Service said she was aware of at least seven people suffering serious burns.
The spokeswoman said that it would take about two more hours to bring the wounded to shore.
The Royal Darwin Hospital is on alert to take the injured and The Australian reports some victims will be transferred to a hospital ship understood to be the Tobruk.
Broome Hospital has also been told to prepare to receive "significant numbers'' of casualites from 11am (WST) onwards, PerthNow reports.
A St John Ambulance spokesman said an emergency operation centre would be set up in Darwin by 2pm (CST).
ASYLUM-SEEKERS doused their boat in petrol before a dawn explosion that killed three people off the northwest Australian coast, West Australian Premier Colin Barnett says.
Mr Barnett said it was unclear how the flames ignited.
"It is understood that the refugees on the boat spread petrol and that ignited causing the explosion," Mr Barnett said.
Mr Barnett would not elaborate on the claim when questioned further.
Home Affairs Minister Bob Debus said it wasn't yet possible to confirm Mr Barnett's claim.
"It is clearly a possibility that that is what occurred but we are not in the position to finally confirm whether that is so or not," he said.
He added: "There is much speculation and if the premier of Western Australia chooses to speculate without having the kind of evidence that we think to be necessary to draw a final conclusion, that is up to him."
The HMAS Albany was escorting the small, wooden fishing boat to Christmas Island when the explosion occurred at 6.30am (WST).
The asylum-seekers' boat was intercepted late yesterday morning near Ashmore Island and was thought to be carrying people 49 from Afghanistan.
The Commander of Border Protection Command, Rear Admiral Allan du Toit, also would not comment on the cause of the explosion.
"I really can't speculate on the cause… I do emphasise that this is an ongoing incident," he said.
"The boat was not being refuelled at the time."
Admiral Du Toit said there were three or four Navy personnel on board the boat at the time of the explosion. Sky News reported two Australian Defence Force members suffered minor injuries.
A West Australian Health spokeswoman said it was understood three people are dead, two are missing and 51 are injured.
Asylum seekers are now onboard HMAS Albany and HMAS Childers.
State Health co-ordinator Dr Andy Robertson said a number of casualties were expected at Truscott Airbase, near Kalumburu, where they would be met by medical teams from the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Broome and Derby Hospitals.
A spokeswoman for the Royal Flying Doctors Service said she was aware of at least seven people suffering serious burns.
The spokeswoman said that it would take about two more hours to bring the wounded to shore.
The Royal Darwin Hospital is on alert to take the injured and The Australian reports some victims will be transferred to a hospital ship understood to be the Tobruk.
Broome Hospital has also been told to prepare to receive "significant numbers'' of casualites from 11am (WST) onwards, PerthNow reports.
A St John Ambulance spokesman said an emergency operation centre would be set up in Darwin by 2pm (CST).
No comments:
Post a Comment