22 rescued as Indonesian boat sinks, 120 missing

Officials say 22 people have been rescued from a boat overloaded with about 150 asylum seekers that sank off Indonesia, and more survivors have been spotted.

Officials say 22 people have been rescued from a boat overloaded with about 150 asylum seekers that sank off Indonesia, and more survivors have been spotted.

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The boat sank on Wednesday on its way from the main Indonesian island of Java to Australia. A merchant ship rescued six Afghan men early Thursday.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority said in a statement that an Australian navy patrol boat has retrieved another 16 survivors. An aircraft crew spotted more survivors in the water.

Another three merchant vessels had joined the search.