NT: Search for foreign nationals called off after 52 found

AAP General News (Australia)
12-29-1998
NT: Search for foreign nationals called off after 52 found

DARWIN, Dec 29 AAP - Police and Customs officials have called off a search for more
shipwrecked immigrants on a remote Northern Territory peninsula.

A Customs spokesman said today authorities believed the 52 people already found on the
Cobourg Peninsula, 200km north east of Darwin, were the total number of people who made their
way ashore after their cargo boat ran aground last week.

He said one woman was believed to have drowned when the group of boat people left their
vessel.

The police search began early on Christmas Day after four men and one woman were found near
Black Point on Cobourg Peninsula late on Christmas Eve.

Immigration spokeswoman Lynne Adams said the 52 people were being held in detention by the
Immigration Department but she could not say at which facility although they were no longer in
Darwin.

Immigration officers are expected to begin interviewing the boatpeople over the next few
days to ascertain their nationality and discover what they were doing in Australia.

"This will most likely be a lengthy process, there are 52 people involved," Ms Adams said.

"What usually happens is once they are in detention, they are given a shower and some clean
clothing and a couple of good meals and some time to rest after their journey.

"And then immigration starts to talk to them about who they are and why they are here."

AAP sn/cfm/br

KEYWORD: IMMIGRANTS (CARRIED EARLIER)

1998 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.