One of Australia’s largest rescue operations is well underway, following the catastrophic explosion on a boat carrying asylum seekers.
Forty-nine mainly Afghani men and boys and up to nine navy personnel were on board the wooden vessel when it erupted in flames then sank, off the West Australian coast.
It is believed to be an act of sabotage.
Three asylum seekers died and two are missing, authorities are warning that toll could rise.
The tragedy has reignited debate over Australia’s ability to block a fleet of boats attempting to smuggle people from Indonesia.
Doctors described the injuries received by the refugees as similar to those seen in the Bali bombings.
“The injuries are consistent with very severe burns. In at least one or two cases we are talking about 60 – 80 percent of the body,” said one doctor.
Of all the 47 men and boys, all its thought from Afghanistan, just 13 are now well enough to be questioned about the explosion.
It left three asylum seekers dead, two missing and five on life support.
A political row has emerged over who may have caused the explosion.
“What I think is clear is that the refugees spread petrol over their boat,” said Western Australia Premier Colin Barnett.
An inflammatory claim the federal government quickly sought to refute.
“I am told that it is impossible to say what the exact nature of the explosion was,” said Home Affairs Minister Bob Debus.
The Navy refused to be drawn.
“We deemed the vessel to be safe and secure and to be seaworthy,” said Admiral Du Toit.
Whatever the cause, this was the sixth illegal boat arrival this year. The twelth since the Government changed border protection laws last year.
“A green light flashed in a lot of people smuggling business headquarters and we saw these boats begin to come on down,” said Shadow Immigration Minister Sharman Stone.
However, Mr Debus was determined that the event would not become politicised.
The police investigation into yesterdays explosion has already started – officers are speaking with the 13 asylum seekers who escaped serious injury.
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