Boat sinks with 170 asylum seekers at Australia sea

170 asylum seekers who were feared dead have been rescued after their boat sank off the coast of Indonesia’s Java island, an official said Wednesday, confirming that one child had died.

Indonesia’s rescue agency was alerted by Australian authorities on Tuesday evening. The boat sank in heavy seas off the fishing town of Cidaun in western Java, from where rescuers set out in their own boats and in vessels lent by the police and fishermen. Survivors would be taken to hospital, adding the body of one child, the only confirmed dead, had been recovered. Reports in Australia said the asylum seekers were mostly from Sri Lanka and Iran. 61 Iranians were travelling in this vessel. Problem with motor after two hours. For three hours, we try to come back (to shore). More than 60 women and Children reported dead. Officials have rescued 120 asylum seekers.