Refugee Disaster off Australian Christmas Island...50 Feared Dead

Refugee Boat smashed in storm near Australian Christmas Island
A boat carrying dozens of asylum seekers including children smashed into  rocks  in the violent seas off Australia's Christmas Island on Wednesday and all passengers were feared dead, according to the Australian authorities. Video footage showed the boat rammed onto the rocks, splintering and sinking while passengers including children were crying out for help. 41 people have been rescued by the Australian authorities but some 30 were still missing after the boat was destroyed. The exact number of casualties is not confirmed yet. Most of the asylum seekers were from Iran and Iraq. Local residents awakened by the screaming of boat passengers who were crying for help,  rushed to rescue drowning people but were unable to help them.