Fed: Sequence of events during Asylum seeker boat explosion

AAP General News (Australia)
04-24-2009
Fed: Sequence of events during Asylum seeker boat explosion

SYDNEY, AAP - The defence department on Friday (April 24) released its record of the
sequence of events during the recovery of Asylum seekers during a boat explosion near
Ashmore reef, off Australia's northwest:

At about 8.15am (AEDT) on Thursday 16 April there was an explosion on board a foreign
vessel that was intercepted the previous day in the vicinity of Ashmore Reef. The events
surrounding the incident occurred in the following order:

- An explosion occurred on board the intercepted vessel at 8.15am (AEDT).

- Nine Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel were on board the intercepted vessel at
the time of the explosion.

- HMAS Childers and HMAS Albany recovered all survivors from the water within about 15
minutes. The search continued.

- Multiple casualties resulted from the explosion with three people deceased and two people
reported missing.

- All ADF personnel were accounted for.

- Medical assistance was rendered by ADF personnel via triage to casualties.

- Five ADF personnel presented with minor injuries and were administered first aid.

- Headquarters Northern Command (HQNORCOM) arranged Casualty Evacuation supported by the
Northern Territory and West Australian State and Commonwealth agencies.

- Air Force AP-3C Orions and Customs and Border Protection DASH 8 aircraft conducted a
Search and Rescue operation for the two missing persons under the control of AMSA (Rescue
Coordination Centre).

- The Patrol Boats proceeded to FPSO Front Puffin for casualty evacuation.

- AP-3C Orions conducted a box-drop of additional medical supplies to the Patrol Boats.

- A Medical Triage facility was established at Truscott and on the Front Puffin.

- HMAS Childers and HMAS Albany transferred the high priority casualties to Front Puffin
for triage and evacuation.

- HMAS Childers remained alongside Front Puffin until all casualties had been evacuated.

HMAS Albany departed after disembarking her high priority casualties for high speed transit
to Darwin.

- The high priority casualties were transferred from Front Puffin to Truscott by CSC helicopter.

0 At Truscott the casualties were again triaged and flown to specialist facilities in
Darwin, Broome, Perth or Brisbane hospitals for medical assistance.

- Upon arrival in Darwin HMAS Albany was met by paramedical staff and other government
agency staff to assist the casualty reception on 17 April 2009 at 1.30 pm (AEDT).

- HMAS Childers arrived in Darwin on 17 April 2009 at 4.30pm (AEDT).

AAP goc/

KEYWORD: BOAT (TIMELINE)

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