A boat carrying suspected asylum seekers wrecked off the coast of Australia's Christmas Island, Dec. 15. Although 42 passengers were rescued, dozens of others drowned, according to a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) statement.
“We believe that far too many people are tragically losing their lives as they take desperate measures to escape conflict, persecution, and poverty,” UNHCR spokesperson Melissa Fleming said in a statement.
Fleming expressed “deep shock and sorrow at the tragic loss of lives.”
The passengers were believed to be Iranians and Iraqis. Of the approximately 28 passengers found dead, two were children. The vessel sank after crashing onto rocks, according to the UNHCR.
They were likely heading for an immigration center located on Christmas Island. According to the UNHCR, the center houses nearly 3,000 asylum seekers.
