15 Feb 2011

Christmas Island shipwreck funerals held

10:06 pm on 15 February 2011

Eight asylum-seekers who died in the Christmas Island shipwreck tragedy have been buried in Sydney on Tuesday.

At least 30 people were killed on 15 December last year when their boat was shipwrecked at Rocky Point and broke apart.

The bodies of 17 of the victims were flown to Sydney last week.

Five are being sent overseas, while Muslim and Christian funerals will be held for eight of the victims.

The Immigration Department says it has worked with families to make sure religious customs are observed.

The ABC reports 13 unidentified bodies remain in the care of the Western Australian Coroner.