28 Jun 2009

Nearly 200 asylum seekers intercepted by Australian navy

5:41 pm on 28 June 2009

A boat carrying 194 asylum seekers has been intercepted by the Australian navy.

The boat, which was heading towards Australia, was first detected by a surveillance aircraft on Friday and intercepted near Ashmore Island early on Sunday morning.

It's understood there are no children on board and the vast majority of passengers are adult men.

They are being taken to Christmas Island for medical and security checks.

Customs officials in Australia are yet to say where the asylum seekers are from.