- Asylum seekers found wandering around Broome, WA
- There are 30 men believed to be from Pakistan and Bangladesh.
An investigation has been launched after 30 asylum seekers were found on the side of the road near Broome after arriving illegally by boat.
Residents of the Beagle Bay indigenous community, about 128 kilometers north of Broome, told the ABC that about 30 men, believed to be from Pakistan and Bangladesh, were seen seeking shade in bushes on Cape Leveque Road around the 10 a.m. on Friday.
They were reportedly taken to Beagle Bay, 128 kilometers north of Broome.
The men were reportedly in good health, wearing t-shirts and trousers and were given water at the local store when temperatures exceeded 32C.
No boat has been found in the area, and authorities are investigating the possibility that an Indonesian fisherman left the group.
Anthony Albanese told reporters he had no information on the matter.
“I’ve been traveling by car, so I haven’t been notified about it,” he said.
“But our policies are clear: ships that come in that way… we have policies in place to ensure they are dealt with.”
Some of the men are photographed in a park.
Australian Border Force authorities arrived in the remote town to investigate.
‘The ABF is carrying out an operation in the northwest of Western Australia. As this operation is ongoing, no further information will be provided,” a spokesperson said.
‘Australia’s tough border protection policies mean that no one traveling by boat without authorization will be allowed to settle permanently in Australia.
‘The only way to travel to Australia is legally, with an Australian visa.
The spokesperson said Australia remains “committed to protecting its borders, eradicating human trafficking and preventing vulnerable people from risking their lives on futile journeys”.
“The business model of human trafficking is based on exploiting information and selling lies to vulnerable people who will give up everything to risk their lives at sea,” they said.
More to come.