More asylum seekers land in Australia

The asylum seekers that landed on Christmas Island are mainly from the Middle East

By CNN's Kirsty Alfredson

(CNN) -- Another 250 people, believed to be asylum seekers, have arrived by boat in Australia, this time at Ashmore islands in the far north west.

A spokesman for Australia's Minister for Immigration Philip Ruddock said little was known about the origin of the asylum seekers.

An Australian customs vessel intercepted the group, which landed Monday evening.

The latest arrival comes just as Australian immigration authorities finish relocating 348 Middle Eastern people who landed on Christmas Island last Thursday.

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A Royal Australian Air Force Hercules airlifted the last 120 asylum seekers from Christmas Island on Monday after they spending the last five days on the remote territory 2,650 kilometers (1,646 miles) north west of Perth in Western Australia.

The group, now in detention centers, was the second largest number to enter Australian waters.

More on the way

The arrival of 348 people was the second largest to enter Australian waters

At the time of their arrival the Minister warned more vessels were expected carrying as many as 400 people.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported a boat carrying 140 Afghan refugees was en-route to Australia, but was stranded on an Indonesian prison island south of central Java.

Two of the passengers are reportedly missing presumed drowned after engine trouble, and one child is said to have died of starvation.

The Australian authorities say they are aware of the report but are unable to confirm it. It is not known if the latest arrival is the same boat.

A spokesman for Australian customs Leon Beddington said intelligence and media reports had been factored into routine surveillance flights over the north and north west of Australia.

He said forward flight routes "may have been changed" to factor in increased awareness.

Asylum success rate drops

Despite increasing number of arrivals there's been a decreasing number of successful asylum applications from people arriving illegally by boat, according to immigration department figures.

The rate has fallen from 94 per cent in 1999-2000 to 75 per cent in July to December 2000.

Earlier this month the Minister for Immigration, Philip Ruddock said the significant drop in the overall grant rate "reflects the changing profile of the arrivals".

"The downward trend in approval rates for boat arrivals also demonstrates that Australia is achieving greater success in detecting more people whose claims are false," he said.