5 asylum-seekers believed dead amid boat sinks around Christmas Island

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CANBERRA, Aug. 20 -- Five asylum-seekers are believed to have drowned after a boat carrying more than 100 asylum-seekers sank north of Christmas Island earlier on Tuesday, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) confirmed in a statement on Tuesday.

According to the statement, the Australian authorities had called off search and rescue operations Tuesday night after rescuing 106 people. Although reports from survivors suggest "up to five people remain unaccounted for", "after an extensive search of the area for further survivors or bodies, none have been sighted," the AMSA said in a statement.

"It is therefore believed any people unaccounted for have gone down with part of the vessel." The statement concluded.

The AMSA sent AMSA Parramatta and a Customs plane to the area after receiving a distress call on Tuesday. And the boat was found "upright but partly submerged".

Until now, it is not known what nationality the asylum seekers are but they will be taken to Christmas Island for health and security checks, local media reported.

According to the new policies of the Labor government, it is expected they will then be sent to Papua New Guinea for processing and resettlement if found to be refugees.

The Australian Labor government has signed an arrangement with Papua New Guinea and Nauru regarding "unauthorized maritime arrivals". According to that, any asylum seeker who arrives in Australia by boat has no chance of being settled in Australia as a refugee, they will be sent to Papua New Guinea or Nauru.

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