(Image Source: Sky News)

BY EVAN BUSH

ANCHOR LAUREN ZIMA

They were searching for a better life -- immigrants from Afghanistan, Iran and Turkey seeking asylum on Australian territory. Now, though -- many are missing after their ticket to freedom, a wooden boat, has sunk.

CNN has the story:

“Also search and rescue operations under way after a migrant boat sank off the coast of java in Indonesia. Two people confirmed dead. More than 100 still missing. Emergency officials telling CNN almost 90 people have been rescued. 200 People were on-board the wooden boat when it capsized, traveling to the Australian territory of Christmas Island.”

The refugees were all asylum seekers being smuggled to Australia. The BBC reports dozens have been saved … but no one knows for sure how many people are actually missing from the questionable trip.


“But the number of people on board is conflicting. From 250 right up to 400 on a fishing vessel designed only to take at best 100 people. ... Nothing official about this -- no numbers are going to be exact.”

Indeed, reports are that the overload of people likely contributed to the boat’s capsizing. And The Los Angeles Times says bad weather made it difficult to rescue survivors.

“Turbulent seas stymied efforts Sunday to locate more than 200 asylum seekers who authorities believe perished when their overcrowded ship sank … Scrambling rescuers have rescued only 33 people from the choppy waters, including two children, ages 8 and 10, who were found clinging to debris five hours after the accident Saturday.”

And Sky News reports this incident is re-igniting a political battle in Australia about immigration. Australia allows immigrants to be processed when they arrive on Australia soil, making them eligible for visas. But some politicians argue the temptation of visas encourages people to take risky trips.

“This morning, on Australian agenda , former Labour Leader Mark Latham attacked those on the left who say onshore processing is the only option -- Let’s be brutally honest about it. Boats sinking and families dying is a direct consequence of the so-called compassionate plea for those who support onshore processing.”