Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
Asylum seeker boat lands in northern Western Australia
Authorities are investigating after 30 men from Pakistan and Bangladesh arrived in the Kimberley on an asylum seeker boat.
February 16, 2024
More than two dozen suspected asylum seekers have arrived on an undetected boat in northern Western Australia.
Authorities are investigating following reports about 30 men from Pakistan and Bangladesh landed near Beagle Bay, 130km north of Broome.
The group is in good health and Australian Border Force officers are on the scene, ABC News said.
One of the men said the boat sailed from Indonesia about five days ago and the group had walked for 35km before being found by local residents.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese couldn’t shed light on the matter when quizzed by reporters.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said the reports were disturbing.
He accused the Albanese government of losing control of the nation’s borders.
“Clearly there has been a catastrophic failure in the system here because this boat has arrived undetected,” he said.
The ABF confirmed it was undertaking an operation in WA but refused to provide details.
In November 2023, 12 people arrived by boat in northern WA before being taken into custody by the ABF.
The agency said in its monthly report the group were unauthorised maritime arrivals from one smuggling operation.
Beagle Bay is an Indigenous community that is home to about 300 people.