Police refuse to speculate on details of boat blast
Updated
It's hoped that footage of the Afghan asylum seekers' boat going up in flames will go some way to solving the mystery of why the boat - now called Siev 36 - exploded when it did.
Forty nine asylum seekers were on board the boat off the northwest coast when an explosion killed three people, and injured many others. While government sources say the explosion on the asylum seekers boat was probably an accident, the police aren't as willing to discuss the issue. Radio Australia has been told that fuel was spread on the deck of the boat by men aboard who were worried the boat might be turned back to Indonesia. Acting Commander Peter Bravos says further investigation is necessary and he will not be influenced by what he calls speculation.
Presenter: Sarah Hawke
Speakers: Ishfaq Haider, President of Darwin's Islamic Society; Peter Bravos, acting commander Northern Territory Police
- Listen:
- Windows Media
SARAH HAWKE: Forty-five Northern Territory and Australian Federal Police officers are now part of the investigation in Darwin. More police are likely to interview asylum seekers in hospitals in Brisbane and Perth.
Navy personnel have been interviewed, and police are at Ashmore Reef to speak with Customs officials and possibly collect more evidence from the sunken boat.
The post-mortems on the three men killed in the explosion have also been completed.
While evidence has been gathered the police position is unchanged.
PETER BRAVOS: The cause of the explosion remains subject to further investigation.
SARAH HAWKE: Acting commander Peter Bravos says he's not interested in a providing a running commentary.
PETER BRAVOS: It will be a thorough, and it will be a detailed, multi-jurisdictional investigation that will not be influenced by speculation.
SARAH HAWKE: Senior officials have in fact indicated that it could have been an accident. Can you make any comments on that?
PETER BRAVOS: No, not at all. As I said previously, we are conducting a very, very thorough investigation, and all possibilities are being examined.
SARAH HAWKE: Acting commander Bravos say the investigation could take months.
