'Asylum seekers' boat intercepted

A family of suspected asylum seekers are in a Darwin hospital while 32 others were
taken to Christmas Island after another boat was intercepted on Sunday night.
The suspected irregular entry vessel was spotted 230 nautical miles west of Darwin
by a Customs aircraft.
There were 37 passengers and two crew on board.
A nearby commercial vessel went to the boat's aid and found it had run out of fuel.
HMAS Albany also went to the scene and a doctor on board recommended that two of the
passengers get medical assistance.
Two people were taken to Darwin as a precaution, along with three family members.
The remaining passengers would be transferred to Christmas Island for security,
identity and health checks, Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor said in a
statement on Monday night.
Their reasons for travel will also be established.
If the people are seeking asylum and they are Afghans, their claims will be
suspended under a move announced in April.
The boat is the 77th to be intercepted off Australia's coast this year.