Asylum boat carrying 65 intercepted

An asylum seeker boat carrying about 65 people has been intercepted off Christmas Island.

ACV Triton, operating under the control of Border Protection Command, intercepted the vessel north of the island overnight.

The boat had earlier been spotted by a Customs and Border Protection Dash 8 surveillance aircraft.

Border Protection Command will make arrangements for the passengers to be transferred to Christmas Island, where they will undergo initial security, health and identity checks.