Christmas Island Shipwreck

At least 27 people have died after a boat carrying suspected asylum seekers crashed into rocks on Australia's Christmas Island.



Australian Customs officials say 42 people have been rescued.



The boat which was reportedly carrying Iranians and Iraqis, was smashed to pieces in rough seas.



Officials say it had apparently been trying to land at Christmas Island, where Australia has an immigration detention centre.



Residents of Christmas Island say they were alerted to the disaster by the sounds of screaming from the shore.



Reports indicate that Australia has seen an increase this year in asylum seekers arriving by boat.



There are currently almost 3,000 people in The Christmas Island processing centre waiting for officials to rule on their cases.