Illegal immigrants on the run: More than 20 flee into rainforest as first asylum seeker boat in four years makes it to the Australian mainland
- Illegal immigrants are on the run in far north Queensland after boat ran aground
- Locals helped vessel come to shore at Cape Kimberley north of Daintree River
- More than 20 asylum seekers jumped off the boat and ran into nearby rainforest
More than 20 illegal immigrants are on the run after the fishing boat they were on ran aground in far north Queensland.
Locals helped bring the boat ashore before asylum seekers jumped off the vessel and fled into a nearby rainforest, Seven News reported.
The boat came to shore at Cape Kimberley just north of the Daintree River.
A Department of Home Affairs spokesman said the Australian Border Force is responding to ‘what we believe to be an illegal fishing vessel in the vicinity of Daintree River’.
Locals helped bring the boat ashore before asylum seekers jumped off the vessel and fled into a nearby rainforest
Eleven of the asylum seekers have been apprehended as officers search the thick rainforest with sniffer dogs.
‘The ABF now has a contingent of officers on site and is grateful for the support provided by the Queensland Police Service,’ the Home Affairs spokesman said.
‘We can confirm that 11 people have been located. The first priority is to confirm the safety and welfare of the people on the fishing vessel.’
It’s believed the illegal immigrants have travelled to Australia from Indonesia, and the fishing boat was carrying 27 people.
The asylum-seeker boat appears to be the first to make it to Australia in four years, the Courier-Mail reported.
One of the men is understood to have identified himself to authorities as a taxi driver.
Two men made their way to a local boat ramp but have since been detained. The rest of the crew are on the run from the authorities.
Some of those who were onboard the vessel are believed to be hiding in mangroves.
More to come
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