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Two teenage boys aged 13 and 14 are among the Sri Lankans missing feared dead after a boat carrying suspected asylum-seekers capsized.
Home Affairs Minister Brendan Nelson confirmed tonight that “Initial indications are that 39 males were believed to have been onboard, including two youths aged 13 and 14 who remain missing” after the boat sunk on Sunday night.
One body has been recovered and a further two have been sighted in the water. There are 11 people still missing.
“There are grave concerns for those persons still unaccounted for,” Mr O’Connor said.
“The 27 survivors will be taken to Christmas Island, where appropriate medical treatment and mental health support, including grief counselling, will be available. Their health and wellbeing is our first priority. Other checks, including identity and reasons for travel, will commence in due course.”
Two Royal Australian Air Force AP3 Orions, a Customs and Border Protection Dash 8 aircraft and an AMSA Dornier are participating in the search for survivors.
The Australian
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