Three dead, dozens injured after explosion on asylum boat

Asguard · Apr 17, 2009

im just going to post the news stories hopefully in sequence. The referncing is the same ABC News

http://www.abc.net.au/news/infographics/boat-arrivals/default.htm

Three dead, dozens injured after explosion on asylum boat
Posted Thu Apr 16, 2009 10:54am AEST
Updated Thu Apr 16, 2009 1:44pm AEST

Mass casualties expected: A sign outside Broome Hospital as medics prepare for the injured to arrive (ABC)

Video: Explosion hits asylum boat (ABC News) Audio: Assistant Police Commissioner John McRoberts on the explosion on a boat carrying asylum seekers off WA. (ABC News) Map: Christmas Island 6798
Related Story: Latest asylum seekers heading for Christmas Is Related Story: Opposition won't rule out return to Pacific Solution Related Story: Govt probing undetected Christmas Is arrivals Related Link: Map: Recent boat arrivals in Australia Western Australian police say three people are dead and two are missing following an explosion on board an asylum-seekers' boat being escorted to Christmas Island this morning.

Hospitals in Darwin and Broome have been told to expect an influx of casualties amid reports that at least 46 people have been injured.

Minister for Home Affairs Bob Debus confirmed there was an explosion or serious fire on board the boat but did not provide details on the extent of the casualties. He says HMAS Childers and HMAS Albany patrol boats are on the scene to give assistance.

Government sources say there are no concerns that any Australians have been killed or seriously injured, but there are concerns that a large number of people have been "severely" injured on board the boat.

The explosion happened near Ashmore Reef, more than 800km west of Darwin and around 600 km north of Broome, as the boat, which was intercepted yesterday, was being escorted by a Royal Australian Navy vessel.

WA police say the stricken vessel will be towed into Darwin.

A Royal Darwin Hospital spokeswoman says the hospital has been told three people are dead, two are missing, and there are 46 "casualties".

The Hospital's National Critical Care and Trauma Unit is on high alert for the expected arrival of the injured.

Western Australia's Broome Hospital and Royal Flying Doctor Service have also been placed on alert. Doctors in Broome have been told to prepare for a significant number of injured people who are expected to arrive at around 11:00am AWST.

There are conflicting reports as to whether any Australians have been hurt.

It is unclear whether the boat is still afloat but the ABC understands it would be unusual for any Australian personnel to be aboard while the boat was being escorted.

The vessel is the sixth such boat to arrive in Australian waters this year.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/04/16/2544343.htm
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Boat blast injured 'like Bali victims'
Posted 4 hours 14 minutes ago
Updated 54 minutes ago

Slideshow: Photo 1 of 3

Brought ashore: An asylum seeker is wheeled from an ambulance into the emergency ward at Royal Perth Hospital (Getty Images: Paul Kane)

Video: Boat blast victims arrive on Australian mainland (ABC News) Video: Explosion on asylum seeker ship (7.30 Report) Video: Uncertainty over Ashmore explosion (ABC News) Video: Burns specialists mobilised after boat blast (Lateline) Video: 3 dead as asylum seeker's boat catches fire (Lateline) Video: Bob Debus discusses the asylum boat blast (7.30 Report) Video: Govt policies responsible for boat blast: Stone (Lateline) Audio: Darwin police lead investigations into explosion (PM) Audio: Opposition speaks out on incident off WA coast (The World Today) Audio: Helicopters transfer survivors to Truscott airbase near Broome (PM) Map: Darwin 0800
Related Story: Govt policy 'directly linked' to boat blast Related Story: Asylum seeker boat 'doused in petrol' Related Story: Boat blast: Rescue continues as political storm brews Related Story: Boat blast casualties reach Australian mainland Related Story: Three dead, dozens injured after explosion on asylum boat Related Link: Map: Recent boat arrivals in Australia A total of 31 asylum seekers injured in yesterday's boat explosion have now arrived on the Australian mainland, with a doctor in Darwin comparing their injuries to those seen in the aftermath of the Bali bombings.

Three people were killed, two are still missing and many were injured when the boat, carrying 47 Afghani asylum seekers and two crew, exploded and sank while under Navy guard.

22 casualties being treated in Perth; 8 in Darwin; 1 in Broome
Authorities say most of the seriously injured patients are males from Afghanistan
More aircraft due to arrive through the morning
Some casualties aged around 13, 14
Several ADF personnel also injured but none need hospital treatment

The general manager of Royal Darwin Hospital, Dr Len Notaras, says the injuries suffered by the suspected asylum seekers are similar to those seen in the Bali bombings.

One of the first arrivals at Darwin was so badly burned that he arrived at the hospital in an induced coma. Others are being treated for severe burns, fractures, and head injuries.

"They are not injuries that are far removed from the injuries we saw during the first Bali [bombing], to a certain extent the injuries we saw during some of the incidents that occurred in Timor," Dr Notaras said.

More people are expected to arrive in Darwin later this morning on Navy boats.

Early this morning Dr Notaras told AM's Sarah Hawke he could not comment on whether or not there were children among the injured.

"I believe there were a couple of young people on board the plane [that landed in Darwin], but suffice to say that I can't really make a comment," he said.

Dr Notaras says the hospital is expecting 13 to 20 patients, with the less seriously injured likely to arrive on Navy patrol boats this afternoon.

"At this stage we've only been looking at males. There are a couple of relatively young males, but ages range from around about 13 or 14 through to early 40s."

Forensic officers are at the emergency ward as part of the Northern Territory-led investigations into the explosion.

"Security is tight, and will continue to be tight, both for the protection of the individuals and given the unique nature of their arrival here from their trip on the boat," Dr Notaras said.

Victims in Perth

A corporate jet chartered by the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) landed in Perth with four seriously burned victims overnight.

Two other aircraft arrived: An RFDS aircraft carrying two injured people and an RAAF C17 Globemaster heavy transport with up to 16 patients.

A RFDS plane carrying one victim arrived at the Broome Airport at midnight, Western Australian time.

The man was flown from the Truscott Airbase to Derby for a flight to Perth, however it is understood he was too ill to fly to Perth and has instead been taken to Broome Regional Hospital.

The man appeared to have severe burns to his face and his arms were heavily bandaged.

Broome Hospital is not expecting to receive any other patients from the incident however the hospital remains on stand-by.

Boat 'doused with petrol'

Yesterday Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett said it was believed the asylum seekers doused their boat with petrol and that caused the fire.

"What I think is clear is that the refugees spread petrol over their boat, the vessel they were on," he said.

"Whether they ignited it or it just ignited, is unknown at this stage.

"But clearly that caused a major explosion, not only injuring refugees but of great concern that four Defence personnel also injured."

But Northern Territory Deputy Police Commissioner Bruce Wernham contradicts that.

"At this stage the cause of the explosion is unknown," he said.

Home Affairs Minister Bob Debus said he would not speculate on the details of the incident until the Border Protection Command had investigated the incident.

"I have spoken to the commander of Border Protection Command ... of course he can not answer the question that everyone would like to know - was this an accident or was it sabotage?" Mr Debus said.

"We will continue to tell the public as much as we reasonably and possibly can about the progress of events here."

Mr Debus says Mr Barnett should not be speculating on the cause until there has been an investigation.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/04/17/2545193.htm
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http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/04/16/2545149.htm
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/04/16/2545066.htm
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/04/16/2544672.htm
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/04/17/2545199.htm

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James R · Apr 17, 2009

And so...? What did you want to discuss?

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Three dead, dozens injured after explosion on asylum boat

Asguard Kiss my dark side Valued Senior Member

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Three dead, dozens injured after explosion on asylum boat

Asguard Kiss my dark side Valued Senior Member

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