Search on for missing asylum seekers

Mystery still surrounds the fate of about 70 asylum seekers whose stricken boat
vanished in Indonesian waters en route to Australia.
Indonesian authorities on Friday said they were still looking for the Afghans,
missing since Wednesday, contradicting reports the search had been called off.
Abraham, head of field operations for a Kupang-based Search and Rescue Team, on
Friday afternoon said there had been no sign of the asylum seekers.
"If, after seven days, there are still no signs, then we will call off the search,"
said Abraham, who goes by only one name.
"But up to now, there is no decision to stop the search."
The search was launched after the asylum seekers sent a text message to a contact in
Pakistan, saying their boat was in distress in the Sape Strait, near Komodo.
That message was relayed to Australian refugee advocate Ian Rintoul, who spoke to
the asylum seekers before alerting Australian authorities, who in turn alerted
Indonesian authorities.
Rintoul on Friday said his efforts to get back in touch with the asylum seekers had
failed. It's believed their mobile phone may have run out of batteries.
"The number on the boat just doesn't answer any longer, and they haven't contacted
the people in Pakistan either," he said.
"I'm starting to get worried again.
"I'm sure they would have contacted the people in Pakistan at least, if they'd been
able to."
It's thought the asylum seekers may have reached an island in the area. If so, they
may be laying low to avoid detection by Indonesian police.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on Friday said Australian officials in
Jakarta were still seeking to clarify the situation.
"Australia continues to stand ready to provide assistance to the Indonesian
government in locating the vessel and its passengers," a spokeswoman said.