8 May 2010

Refugees being taken to Cocos Islands

8:13 am on 8 May 2010

A group of suspected asylum seekers is expected to arrive at Australia's Cocos Islands on Saturday after being rescued from a broken down fishing boat.

The ABC reports 62 people were aboard the small boat which broke down in the Indian Ocean north west of Cocos Islands on Wednesday.

It was spotted by Australian search and rescue aircraft on Friday. Four merchant ships were diverted to the area.

The ABC has been told there were 14 children on the small boat and they had little food and water.