Refugees apply for political asylum in Australia

The more than 400 refugees stranded aboard the Norwegian container ship that rescued them in the Indian Ocean six days ago have requested political asylum in Australia, the Norwegian foreign ministry said today.

The request was made through Norway’s ambassador to Australia, Ove Thorsheim, on Friday when he was the first outsider allowed on board the Tampa freighter, located near Australia’s Christmas Island, ministry spokesman Karsten Klepsvik said.