NT: Boat explosion 'horrific': navy officers
17 Apr 2009 5:58 PM
Navy officers have described the scene of an explosion .. in which 47 suspected asylum seekers and two crew were thrown into northern Australian waters .. as horrific.
A boat carrying 47 suspected asylum seekers and two crew exploded yesterday morning .. killing three people .. after having been intercepted off Ashmore Reef a day earlier.
Lieutenant Commander BARRY LEAROYD says he can't comment on the reason behind the explosion .. as it's under investigation .. but confirmed the boat had a diesel engine.
He says all 49 people on board the asylum seeker boat were thrown into the water as it exploded .. and the vessel took about 45 minutes to sink.
He says it took around 30 minutes to get everyone out of the water and into the hands of medical staff.
Commander Northern Command .. Commodore DAVID GWYTHER .. says during the period after the boat was intercepted there was no indication the passengers planned to scuttle the boat.
