Navy intercepts boat with 77 aboard

(AAP) A boat believed to be carrying 77 suspected asylum seekers has been intercepted off Christmas Island.

Navy patrol boat HMAS Pirie, operating under the control of Border Protection
Command, intercepted the vessel about 2am on Thursday (AEST), about 21 nautical
miles north of Christmas Island.
The vessel was initially sighted by an RAAF AP-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft.
"Initial indications suggest around 77 passengers are on board the vessel," Home
Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor said in a statement.
The group will be transferred to Christmas Island to undergo security, identity and
health checks as well as checks to establish the reasons for their travel.
The worsening situations in Sri Lanka and Afghanistan as well as continuing problems
in Iraq and Pakistan had forced millions of desperate people to flee their own
countries and seek safety elsewhere around the world, Mr O'Connor said.
"Today's successful interception demonstrates the effectiveness of the proactive
surveillance program in place," he said.