12-16-2010 13:24 BJT
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At least 28 people are dead after heavy waves smashed their timber boat onto the rocks of Australia's Christmas Island. The boat was carrying as many as 100 asylum seekers when the accident happened on Wednesday.
According to the Australian Immigration Minister, 44 people were rescued, 11 of them children. Many are still believed missing. Two women with severe injuries have been flown to Perth in mainland Australia for treatment.
A temporary morgue has been set up and a disaster victim identification team was due to arrive later on Thursday. Most of the injured are being treated in the island's local hospital.
In recent years, many asylum seekers have come from Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq and Myanmar. Generally, they first fly to Indonesia and then continue on to Australia by sea.
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