Boat Capsizes South of Indonesia; Dozens Feared Dead
A boat with roughly 200 suspected asylum seekers capsized between Indonesia and Australia's Christmas Island. Dozens are feared to have drowned.
Reuters reports the boat capsized in the Indian Ocean waters about 140 miles north of Australia's Christmas Island.
Winds at the airport on Christmas Island have been consistently blowing from the east-southeast at 12 to 15 mph since midday Thursday (local time, midnight EDT). During the same time, winds at Denpasar (along Indonesia's southern coast) were howling from the southeast at 14 to 22 mph.
These winds likely stirred up the waters in which the boat was passing over.
Satellite data does not indicate any thunderstorms in the vicinity of the accident since midday Thursday (local time).
The boat is assumed to have been carrying about 200 people seeking asylum on Christmas Island from Indonesia. At least 75 people are feared to have drowned.
Reuters reports that refugees from Indonesia often attempt to reach Christmas Island in overcrowded and dangerous boats. So far this year, Australian authorities have detected more than 50 boats carrying a combined more than 4,000 asylum seekers.
In December 2011, at least 200 people perished when one overcrowded boat sank offshore of East Java.
More Weather News
-
Dallas to Chicago: Severe Storm Outbreak Continues Monday
May 19, 2013; 9:30 PM ET
Severe storms may erupt from Texas to Wisconsin on Monday as the storm system that spawned several tornadoes across the Plains on Saturday and Sunday shifts slowly to the east.
-
Photos: Massive Tornadoes Lash the Plains
May 19, 2013; 9:21 PM ET
Several tornadoes touched down from Oklahoma to Iowa, including near Wichita, Kan., and Oklahoma City, on Sunday.
-
Another Cool and Unsettled Week for Western Europe
May 19, 2013; 9:11 PM ET
A slow-moving storm resulted in a week of below-normal temperatures that will likely continue into the week.
-
Live: Tornadoes Touch Down From Oklahoma to Iowa
May 19, 2013; 9:06 PM ET
Several tornado reports have come out of the Midwest this evening, impacting areas around Wichita and Oklahoma City.
-
Renewed River Flood Threat for Northern Plains
May 19, 2013; 8:55 PM ET
Heavy rain returning to the northern Plains will generate a renewed flood threat for the Red River.
-
Local Radar: Tracking the Severe Storm Outbreak
May 19, 2013; 8:42 PM ET
Keep up to date on the severe thunderstorm outbreak unfolding across the Plains by tracking local radars.
Daily U.S. Extremes
past 24 hours
| Extreme | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| High | N/A | |
| Low | N/A | |
| Precip | N/A |
WeatherWhys®
This Day In Weather History
KY, TN, VA (1894)
Late season snow with up to 10" accumulation.
Midwest (1957)
Tornado has 70 mile long track that ends in
Kansas City suburb. 48 people died.
Alberta, Canada (1992)
Snowfall of 1-2" between Edmonton and
Grand Prairie.
Rough Weather
AccuWeather.com
Custom Search
Comments
Comments left here should adhere to the AccuWeather.com Community Guidelines. Profanity, personal attacks, and spam will not be tolerated.