Hazara Nation

The Age
A second group of suspected Middle Eastern refugees has arrived in Australian waters and is being transported to Christmas Island for processing.

A spokesman for Immigration Minister Chris Evans tonight said 17 people, including three crew, had arrived at an offshore storage facility in the Timor Sea off the north-west coast of Western Australia.

"The reasons for their voyage are unknown at this time," the spokesman said.

"They've been moved on to a Royal Australian Navy vessel for transfer to Christmas Island where they'll be placed in immigration detention," the spokesman said.

The spokesman said the group would undergo health, security and identity checks upon their arrival at Christmas Island.
He was unable to confirm the nationalities of any of the group.

"It will probably take at least three or four days before they arrive at Christmas Island and that's where they'll determine all of that," he said.
It is believed the group arrived about 10.30am yesterday.

It is the second boat of unauthorised arrivals to be intercepted off the coast of Australia this year.

An Australian naval patrol boat last week intercepted another vessel carrying 14 people near the Ashmore Islands, 320km off Australia's north-west coast.

The group, including one woman, was also transferred to Christmas Island for processing.