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Explosion on asylum boat to Christmas Island: 3 dead

by Amy Judd | April 15, 2009 at 05:57 pm

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An explosion on board an asylum boat on its way to Christmas Island off the coast of Australia, has killed three people, and dozens more are injured.

The injured are being taken to hospitals in Darwin and Broome. There were 49 people on board, most of whom were believed to be from Afghanistan.

A Royal Darwin Hospital spokeswoman says the hospital has been told three people are dead, two are missing, and there are 46 "casualties" after an explosion.

The vessel was being escorted by a Royal Australian Navy boat after being intercepted near near Ashmore Island off the north-west coast of WA yesterday.

Two people are missing, and it is thought that the explosion occurred in the engine room of the boat.

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Uwe Paschen

at 18:17 on April 15th, 2009

200 people or more drowned off the coast of Libya, all refugees from Niger trying to reach Europe this week.

This is another such drama.

Rhonda J Mangus

at 15:29 on April 16th, 2009

Thanks for this, Amy.

Amy Judd

at 15:40 on April 16th, 2009

Tips from freooguy (thank you)

a plane has just landed with 3 badly burned victims they are at the royal perth hospital ,another special military plane are due to landed any moment with another 24 badly injured peoples,10 ambulances are station at perth international airport with a heavy police presence the cargo plane is due to land now at 10 am perth time.