There is blood on the ALP's hands,they and they alone are totally responsible for this by giving these people the hope and belief that they will be granted permanent residence if they can make it here
Absolute shame on this government,how many more will it take and how many more are there that we dont know about that get lost on the open seas -----------------
A big rescue effort is underway at Christmas Island after an asylum boat carrying about 70 people crashed into jagged cliffs in rough seas, with many people feared dead.
The incident happened about 6am near Flying Fish Cove.
Asylum seekers 'screamed for help' as boat went under
Many feared dead, at least 15 injured
Ocean swell worst seen by locals
Frantic bid to find survivors
Witnesses describe chaos and carnage
Early reports indicated there were about 15 survivors and an "unknown number of dead".
People on the island reportedly heard screaming from the boat and rushed to help.
Residents have described the scene as a tragedy and carnage and warned there could be many casualties.
The sea is awash, you cant rescue them from the shore and it took Customs ages to get to them, one resident said.
Another Christmas Island resident, who wanted to remain anonymous, described the chaos.
He was among a group of around 50 locals who were trying to rescue those in the water.
He said: We threw ropes over the cliffs and we must have thrown in a couple of hundred life jackets. About 15 or 20 people managed to get into the jackets but there are bodies all over the water.
There are dead babies, dead women and dead children in the water. The swell is unbelievably big.
He said he and others who live near the cliffs were woken up around 6am by the sound of screams.
Several people ran to the edge of the cliffs and saw the boat, estimated to be about 40 feet long.
Their motor was not working so they had lost all power. For a while it looked all right as it was sitting around the front of Flying Fish Cove. But then one big wave came along and smashed them onto the cliff. Once they hit that cliff it was all over, he said.
The witness said that a navy vessel and two small navy motorboats were braving the conditions and plucking survivors from the water.
