2012 Indian Ocean migrant boat disaster

2012 maritime disaster March 2025 March 2018 The 2012 Indian Ocean migrant boat disaster occurred on 21 June 2012, when a boat carrying more than 200 refugees capsized in the Indian Ocean between the Indonesian island of Java and the Australian external territory of Christmas Island. 109 people were rescued, 17 bodies were recovered, and approximately 70 people remain missing.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-18575583 Boat sinking reignites Australia asylum debate 25 June 2012 BBC 25 June 2012 The boat's passengers were all male and were mostly from Afghanistan.McGuirk Rod 19 June 2024 90 Still Missing After Boat Capsizes off Indonesia https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/90-still-missing-after-boat-capsizes-off-indonesia/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20240619223553/https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/90-still-missing-after-boat-capsizes-off-indonesia/ 19 June 2024 19 June 2024 The New York Times Associated Press The boat was discovered by an Australian Customs and Border Protection Service surveillance plane 109 nmi km south of Java at about 3:00 pm AWST.Glenda Kwek Coorey, Phillip Dozens feared dead as packed asylum boat capsizes off Christmas Island http://www.smh.com.au/national/dozens-feared-dead-as-packed-asylum-boat-capsizes-off-christmas-island-20120622-20rnz.html#ixzz1yTCJ1d4H The Sydney Morning Herald 22 June 2012 22 June 2012 The boat had sent out a distress call on 19 June, but it failed to identify its location. On 20 June, the boat sent out a second distress call, at which point Australian authorities advised the boat to return to Indonesia. The boat was spotted later that day by a surveillance plane as it continued toward Australian waters. "No visual signs of distress" were observed by the plane's crew. Australian authorities then began to prepare to respond when the boat would enter their territory, but it capsized before leaving Indonesian waters. About 40 survivors were found clinging to the upturned boat, while others were found on floating debris up to four miles (6 km) from the disaster's location. Survivors and bodies of the deceased were transported to Christmas Island aboard the patrol boat Wollongong ACPB 92 6. Rescue efforts were coordinated by Indonesian authorities with assistance from Australia.http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/disaster-at-sea-dozens-feared-dead-20120621-20r3f.html Disaster at sea: dozens feared dead The Age 22 June 2012 22 June 2012 Grattan, Michelle Gordon, Michael Eight Australian and Indonesian ships, plus five Australian aircraft, were still searching for additional survivors on 22 June. Australian Home Affairs Minister Jason Clare stated that the prospect of finding additional survivors was "increasingly grim", due to rough seas. Human traffickers often disable their boats once they have entered Australian waters and send out distress calls to have their "cargo" picked up. Christmas Island is a popular target for asylum seekers, whose journeys sometimes end in tragedy. In a statement, the U.N. refugee agency said the tragedy "reinforces the need for renewed international solidarity and cooperation to find protection options for people". See also Australia Indonesia Suspected Irregular Entry Vessel 2010 Christmas Island boat disaster November 2009 Indian Ocean migrant boat disaster SIEV X References External links Timeline: tracking the disaster – By Matt Brown – Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 8 30 S 105 45 E title Category:2012 disasters in Australia Category:2012 disasters in Indonesia Category:International maritime incidents Category:Migrant boat disasters Category:Maritime incidents in 2012 Category:Maritime incidents in Indonesia Category:Suspected Illegal Entry Vessels Category:June 2012 in Australia Category:June 2012 in Indonesia Category:2012 in Christmas Island Migrant boat disaster, 2012