157 rescued after asylum seeker boat sinks off Indonesia.

Boat carrying asylum seekers sinks off Indonesia, 157 rescued

Rescuers were searching Wednesday for dozens of asylum seekers still missing after their boat sank in Indonesian waters on the way to Australia. More than 150 survivors were brought to safety and three bodies were recovered.

The incident comes days after Prime Minister Kevin Rudd changed Australia’s refugee policy so that people who arrive by boat will no longer be allowed to settle there. The move was a response to domestic political pressure and the string of accidents involving rickety boats packed with asylum seekers bound for Australia.

Local police spokesman Col. Martinus Sitompul said 157 people have been recovered from the boat that sank Tuesday night about 5 kilometers (3 miles) from shore off the coast of West Java’s Cianjur district.

Among the survivors was a pregnant Sri Lankan woman who was being treated at a health center in the town of Cidaun. A baby boy, a 10-year-old girl and a woman were identified as the dead, he added.

Sitompul said the group was believed to consist of around 204 migrants from Sri Lanka, Iran and Iraq. They departed Tuesday morning from Jayanti, a coastal town in Cianjur, using a smaller boat that was supposed to meet a larger ship at sea to complete the journey to Australia.

Their overloaded boat, built to carry only 150 passengers, sank about nine hours into the trip due to a leak. Some of the migrants scrambled for the lifeboat, while others swam before being rescued, he said citing Akbar.

A search for the 44 migrants believed missing continued Wednesday with police, fishermen and local villagers scouring the waters.

Rochmali, a rescuer at the scene, said the exact number missing remains unclear since some survivors may have fled to avoid authorities.

The asylum seeker issue has been a longstanding dilemma for both Indonesia and Australia.

Last week, Indonesia decided to stop issuing visas on arrival to Iranians because a growing number of them have been caught smuggling drugs or using Indonesia as a transit point for seeking asylum in Australia.

As of last Friday, Australia said all newly arrived refugees would be resettled on the island nation of Papua New Guinea, though their claims for asylum will still be assessed in Australia and at detention camps in Papua New Guinea and the tiny island nation of Nauru.

Australia would help genuine refugees settle in Papua New Guinea. Those who are found not to be genuine refugees could return to their home countries or another country other than Australia.

The move, condemned by refugee and human rights advocates, is an attempt to stem the flood of asylum seekers who travel to Australia from ports in Indonesia and Malaysia. Hundreds have died attempting the journey in recent years.

Indonesia is a popular exit point because its capital, Jakarta, lies just 500 kilometers (310 miles) from Australia’s Christmas Island. More than 15,000 asylum seekers have arrived in Australia by boat this year.

Rudd said the latest boat incident highlights the need for the policy shift.

“Too many innocent people have been lost at sea,” he told reporters in Melbourne on Wednesday.

“The asylum seeker policy we’ve adopted is about sending a very clear message to people smugglers that if you try to come to Australia by boat you will not be settled in Australia. … That is all about destroying the people smugglers’ business model,” Rudd added.

Indonesia

Indonesia is a vast archipelago nation in Southeast Asia, comprising over 17,000 islands, with a rich history shaped by Hindu-Buddhist kingdoms, Islamic sultanates, and centuries of Dutch colonial rule. It declared independence in 1945 after World War II, becoming the world’s largest archipelagic state and the fourth most populous country. The nation is renowned for its cultural diversity, including iconic sites like Borobudur temple and the vibrant traditions of Bali.

Australia

Australia is a continent and country known for its

West Java

West Java is a province in Indonesia known for its rich cultural heritage and stunning natural landscapes, including volcanoes and tea plantations. Historically, it was a center of the ancient Sunda Kingdom, with sites like Batutulis inscription reflecting its past. Today, it is famous for the city of Bandung, a hub of arts and education, and traditional arts such as angklung music and wayang golek puppetry.

Cianjur

Cianjur is a regency in West Java, Indonesia, known for its scenic landscapes and historical significance. It was established in the 17th century as part of the Mataram Sultanate’s expansion and later became a key area under Dutch colonial rule, famous for its rice production and the Cianjur horse breed. Today, it is recognized for its cultural heritage, including traditional arts and the iconic Cianjur-style cuisine.

Cidaun

Cidaun is a district in West Java, Indonesia, located in the Cianjur Regency. Historically, it was part of the ancient Sunda Kingdom and is known for its scenic landscapes, including beaches and plantations. Today, Cidaun remains a quiet area focused on agriculture and eco-tourism, with sites like the Puncak Cidaun offering panoramic views of the Indian Ocean.

Jayanti

Jayanti is a small village located in the Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal, India, known for its scenic beauty and biodiversity. Historically, it served as a key point along the ancient Silk Route and was used by the British as a summer retreat, with remnants of colonial-era structures still visible. Today, it is a popular eco-tourism destination, offering trekking trails and opportunities to explore the surrounding forests and wildlife.

Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea is a culturally and linguistically diverse country in the southwestern Pacific, home to over 800 indigenous languages and a rich history of human settlement dating back at least 60,000 years. Its rugged terrain and isolated communities led to the development of distinct tribal cultures, and the island was later colonized by Germany and Britain before being administered by Australia. After a long struggle, Papua New Guinea gained independence in 1975, and today it is known for its unique traditions, biodiversity, and significant archaeological sites like the Kuk Swamp, an early center of agriculture.

Nauru

Nauru is a small island country in the Pacific Ocean, known for being the world’s smallest republic. Its history includes colonization by Germany in the late 19th century, followed by Australian administration after World War I, during which the island’s rich phosphate deposits were heavily mined. The depletion of these resources has led to economic challenges, and the island also served as a detention center for asylum seekers under Australian policy in the early 2000s.

Jakarta

Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, is a sprawling metropolis on the island of Java with a history dating back to the 4th century as the port city of Sunda Kelapa. It was later renamed Batavia by Dutch colonizers in the 17th century, becoming the center of the Dutch East India Company’s operations. Today, it stands as a vibrant, densely populated hub of culture, commerce, and contrasts, blending colonial-era architecture with modern skyscrapers.

Christmas Island

Christmas Island, an Australian territory in the Indian Ocean, is named for its discovery on Christmas Day in 1643 by Captain William Mynors. It is renowned for its unique wildlife, particularly the annual red crab migration, and has a history of phosphate mining that began in the late 19th century. Today, it serves as both a nature reserve and a site for immigration detention.