Illegal Immigrant Boat Capsizes, No Fatalities

Tasikmalaya (Antara Bali) - A boat carrying 48 illegal immigrants from  Middle Eastern countries and two crew capsized in Pamayan waters in Cipatujah, West Java, on Saturday but none of them died in the incident.

"All of the immigrants and two crew members were rescued and evacuated to shore ," Tasikmalaya resort police chief Adjunct Senior Commissioner Irman Sugema said.

They had been accomodated at the Cipatujah marine police station for data collection before being taken later to the Tasikmalaya resort police station, he said.

Seven of the illegal immigrants from the ill-fated boat had to be treated at a local health care center in Cipatujah due to dehydration and fatigue after swimming in the sea waters for some time, he said.

Several marine police and local fishermen boats were involved in the evacaution efforts.

He said the boat suffered a leakage and engine problems on its way to Australian waters.(IGT)