Source : Perth Now news
Five men have reportedly been rescued by the Australian Border Force from a remote beach after they were spotted by a commercial helicopter pilot.
The possible illegal boat arrivals were picked up by authorities after a pilot observed SOS scrawled in the sand, according to The Australian.
Footage posted by North Australian Helicopters on social media on Thursday shows the group on the “northern coast”.
North Australian Helicopters said the men spoke no English and appeared to have been there for “quite a while”.
In a statement, Immigration Minister Tony Burke said the government would not “confirm, or comment on, operational matters”.
“There has never been a successful people smuggling venture under our government, and that remains true,” he said.
“When someone tries to arrive without a visa they are detained and then deported.”
Liberal campaign spokesman James Paterson described the reported incident as “deeply concerning”.
“Regardless of whether they are people smugglers or illegal fishers, no one should be able to reach the Australian mainland undetected,” Senator Paterson said.
“Once again, we have seen the Albanese government relying on private businesses alerting the government to serious security concerns, like when a Virgin Australia pilot was the first to alert the government to a live fire exercise in the Tasman Sea.”
According to the latest update on Operation Sovereign Borders, published two days ago, Australian authorities responded to one maritime people smuggling venture in the month of March.
