Stockpic

A SEARCH has failed to find any trace of an asylum-seeker boat carrying an estimated 150 passengers after reports it was in distress off the coast of Indonesia.
The Indonesian search and rescue authority Basarnas said the wooden boat was early today reported to be in trouble or sinking in the Sunda Strait, between Java and Sumatra, and about 220 nautical miles from Christmas Island.
It also advised of reports of drownings.
However a spokesman for Basarnas said at least four vessels and two helicopters had searched the area today without finding any sign of the missing boat.
Gagah Prakoso said late this afternoon (AEST) the search had found no evidence of a boat sinking, survivors or bodies, and had been suspended.
Basanas had been alerted to the emergency by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority early today and vessels had been sent from Jakarta and Merak, but returned without success.