Thursday, November 20, 2008
By ROD McGUIRK,Associated Press Writer AP - 14 CANBERRA, Australia - The Australian navy rescued a group of 12 people from a sinking vessel suspected of being operated by people smugglers, an immigration official said Thursday.
The 12 were taken aboard the patrol boat late Wednesday off Australia's northwest coast, a favorite destination of human traffickers, Immigration Minister Chris Evans said in a statement.
Evans did not provide details about the nationalities of the 12 people rescued. They will be taken to an Australian immigration detention center at nearby Christmas Island, Evans said.
'Although this group is yet to make its intentions clear, there is constant pressure from people smugglers in the region,' Evans said.
The navy found the boat's engine was damaged and water was flooding through a hole in its hull, he said.
Two boats carrying 26 asylum seekers have been intercepted by the navy this year while heading toward Australian territory.
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