The final death toll from the Christmas Island boat disaster is likely to rise to about 48, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard said on Monday.
The latest estimates suggested that 90 people were on board the Indonesian fishing boat when it crashed last Wednesday. The suspected asylum seekers onboard includes Iraqis, Iranians and Kurds.
So far, 42 having been rescued. However, 30 people, including 13 men, nine women, four children and four babies, have been confirmed dead. It means there are about 18 people went missing. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has formally acknowledged there is no hope of finding any further survivors, but the search will continue for the victims of the disaster.
Gillard told reporters in Canberra that it may not be possible to ascertain exactly how many lives were lost, and it was possible that some bodies may never be recovered.
"We are, of course, talking about very rough seas, very rocky and difficult coastline and so it may be that there are bodies of people who traveled on the boat that are never recovered," she told Australia Associated Press on Monday. "That is obviously very, very grim news." Gillard also said the government had no plans to lift Australia 's humanitarian intake in order to reduce the numbers resorting to people smugglers.
Further memorial services would continue to be held around the country, with the Christmas Island community also slated to remember the tragedy at a date yet to be set.
The latest estimates suggested that 90 people were on board the Indonesian fishing boat when it crashed last Wednesday. The suspected asylum seekers onboard includes Iraqis, Iranians and Kurds.
So far, 42 having been rescued. However, 30 people, including 13 men, nine women, four children and four babies, have been confirmed dead. It means there are about 18 people went missing. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has formally acknowledged there is no hope of finding any further survivors, but the search will continue for the victims of the disaster.
Gillard told reporters in Canberra that it may not be possible to ascertain exactly how many lives were lost, and it was possible that some bodies may never be recovered.
"We are, of course, talking about very rough seas, very rocky and difficult coastline and so it may be that there are bodies of people who traveled on the boat that are never recovered," she told Australia Associated Press on Monday. "That is obviously very, very grim news." Gillard also said the government had no plans to lift Australia 's humanitarian intake in order to reduce the numbers resorting to people smugglers.
Further memorial services would continue to be held around the country, with the Christmas Island community also slated to remember the tragedy at a date yet to be set.
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