The final death toll from the Christmas Island boat disaster is likely to rise
to about 48, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard said on Monday.

The latest estimates suggested that 90 people were on board the Indonesian
fishing boat when it crashed last Wednesday. The suspected asylum seekers
onboard includes Iraqis, Iranians and Kurds.

So far, 42 having been rescued. However, 30 people, including 13 men, nine
women, four children and four babies, have been confirmed dead. It means there
are about 18 people went missing.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has formally acknowledged there is no
hope of finding any further survivors, but the search will continue for the
victims of the disaster.

Gillard told reporters in Canberra that it may not be possible to ascertain
exactly how many lives were lost, and it was possible that some bodies may never
be recovered.

“We are, of course, talking about very rough seas, very rocky and difficult
coastline and so it may be that there are bodies of people who traveled on the
boat that are never recovered,” she told Australia Associated Press on Monday.
“That is obviously very, very grim news.”

Gillard also said the government had no plans to lift Australia ’s humanitarian
intake in order to reduce the numbers resorting to people smugglers.

Further memorial services would continue to be held around the country, with the
Christmas Island community also slated to remember the tragedy at a date yet to
be set.

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet