Refugees' boat runs aground off Australian coast

An Indonesian boat, carrying 130 asylum seekers has run aground on a reef off the coast of northern Australia.

The boat was carrying five Indonesian crew, 126 Afghans and four Iranians. There were 19 women and 19 children among the refugees.

A spokesman for Defence Minister Peter Reith said the fishing boat had entered Australian territorial waters without permission.

"The Royal Australian Navy is providing assistance to render the boat seaworthy again to enable it to return to international waters. It sustained a little damage in hitting the reef," he said.

"Humanitarian needs are being met."

Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said that if the ship cannot be turned back into international waters, it will probably be boarded and its passengers could be sent to Nauru.

The latest development comes after an Australian judge ruled that the Government illegally detained hundreds of foreign refugees who were caught trying to sneak into the country.

Federal Court Justice Tony North said they must be allowed to land on Australian soil.

The Government said it would appeal against the ruling.