SURABAYA - INDONESIA arrested 43 Afghans who were trying to reach Australia illegally, police said on Thursday, a day after Asian nations pledged to work together to tackle people smuggling.
The migrants, including women and children, were arrested in the waters off Madura island in East Java province on Thursday morning, provincial maritime police chief Anang Hidayat told reporters.
'They were seeking asylum in Australia. They were arrested while they were transferring boats. They had no identification documents,' he said.
The group had flown from Afghanistan to Jakarta, travelled by bus to Madura island to 'take a big boat to Australia", Mr Hidayat said.
'We've handed the case over to the immigration department and International Organisation for Migration to handle,' he said.
Indonesia is a key staging post for people-smugglers bringing Afghans, Sri Lankans and other nationals for the perilous onward sea journey to Australia where many seek asylum. -- AFP
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