Asylum seekers intercepted off mainland
ABC NEWS
Posted Fri Dec 18, 2009 7:16pm AEDT
Updated Fri Dec 18, 2009 7:21pm AEDT
A boat carrying 55 asylum seekers and four crew has been intercepted off Australia's north-west coast.
The Federal Government says the boat was spotted by a customs and border protection plane before being intercepted north-west of Ashmore Island.
Those on board will be taken to Christmas Island for health, security and identity checks.
The island's detention centre is already at capacity and some asylum seekers are being housed in tents.
Earlier this week, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees determined that all 78 people involved in a stand-off on board the Oceanic Viking were refugees.
