Australia intercepts asylum seekers

Australian authorities intercepted a boat carrying more than 30 suspected asylum seekers, the latest in a string of vessels carrying refugee hopefuls to reach the country’s waters this year.

Home Affairs Minister Bob Debus said border agents intercepted the boat 26 miles north of the Tiwi Islands, off Australia’s north coast.

The 31 passengers and three crew on board were being taken to Christmas Island, an Indian Ocean territory where the government detains and processes refugee applicants. Their nationalities were not immediately known.