Australia ends search for 90 missing from boat

The Australian Maritime and Safety Authority (AMSA) stopped the search late last night after failing to find any more survivors since Thursday evening when 110 people were plucked from the water. Around 200 passengers were believed to have been on board the vessel when it capsized north of Christmas Island, meaning there is likely to be a death toll of around 90 people, according to the (AFP). Six bodies were recovered by authorities during the three day search and three have already been transferred to Christmas Island. A spokesman for AMSA said last night that there would not be a separate search for bodies and vessels and aircraft involved in the search had been stood down. "The operation is now ceasing," he said. "AMSA thanks the people aboard and involved with the ships and aircraft that responded to our distress broadcast over the three days of the incident and which, together, saved 110 lives that otherwise almost certainly would have been lost," an AMSA statement said. Of the survivors, 106 are currently on Christmas Island and four others are in Perth receiving medical treatment.