Asylum seekers feared dead electronically tracked to Indonesian island
The Age
Saturday July 11, 2009
INDONESIAN authorities believe they have found the mystery boatload of asylum seekers that went missing for several days, feared drowned, on the Indonesian island of Sumbawa.There was a three-day search for the men, women and children by the Indonesian Navy and its water police.It was believed 74 Afghans and Pakistanis were on board, heading for Australia.The Indonesian authorities were helped by the Australian Federal Police, who traced the mobile phone signals of the asylum seekers."The latest news is they are in Bima, Sumbawa," said a spokesman for the water police in West Timor."We have traced their (phone) signals and they are coming from Bima."Indonesian authorities have yet to physically detain any of the passengers but believe their intelligence is solid.They expect the asylum seekers to scatter and try to avoid capture so they can attempt to make the dangerous crossing again.The Indonesians have several names and mobile phone numbers of the Afghans but they refused to speak with Indonesian police and said they were only willing to talk with the Australian authorities.The boat went missing earlier this week.The search began after refugee advocate Ian Rintoul received information the vessel was taking in water and its engine had stalled.The last text message Mr Rintoul received on Wednesday morning was: "My mobile has no power now. I can't contact you any more. May God help us."As the search was launched near Komodo Island, confusion was sown when Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith claimed, incorrectly, that the asylum seekers had been rescued.There has been a surge in asylum seekers coming to Australia from Indonesia this year as conflicts worsen in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
© 2009 The Age
