Four dead after asylum seeker boat capsizes

At least four people are dead after an asylum seeker boat capsized 70 nautical miles north of Christmas Island on Tuesday.

Australian Border Protection and Customs says 144 people were rescued from the water by two Navy ships, the HMAS Warramunga and HMAS Albany. In a statement, Customs says the ships had been escorting the boat to Christmas Island after it ran into trouble, but it capsized on the way. A Royal Australian Air Force P3-Orion maritime patrol aircraft deployed a number of life rafts. "It is believed that there were approximately 150 people on board based on an assessment of information provided by the vessel's crew," the Customs statement said. "This number has been revised downwards from an initial estimate of up to 180 people." A search was suspended shortly after 9:30pm (AEST).