No new survivors at scene of Christmas Island boat tragedy

NO new survivors of a horrific boat crash that killed at least 28 asylum seekers were found in the churning waters off an Australian island yesterday, more than 24 hours after their rickety boat smashed into rocks and broke apart in monstrous waves.

Navy and customs officers plucked 42 survivors — including nine children — from the raging surf off Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean soon after their boat sank on Wednesday. But, as darkness fell over the remote island a day later, rescuers reported no new signs of life.

The boat, carrying up to 100 asylum seekers of Iraqi, Iranian and Kurdish origin, smashed into the jagged, limestone cliffs of Christmas Island. Twelve men, nine women and seven children were among the dead.