21 Apr 2012

Afghan asylum seekers missing after boat hit by wave

8:36 pm on 21 April 2012

Indonesian authorities are questioning more than 70 mostly Afghan asylum seekers bound for Australia after their boat was hit by a powerful wave, forcing them to swim to shore.

Community members of Wonogoro Beach on the eastern coast of Java island reported seeing scores of people wash up onto the shore late last night.

Forty three were found straight away including three children and one woman.

Police detained another 30 late Saturday morning and are still searching for up to 30 more.

Search and rescue officials said they were not searching the sea.