Boat carrying 148 stopped

A boat carrying 148 suspected asylum seekers has been intercepted off the coast of Western Australia.

ACV Ashmore Guardian, operating under the control of Border Protection Command, intercepted a suspected irregular entry vessel east of Ashmore Islands today.

Initial indications suggest there are 148 passengers and three crew on board.

The passengers will be transferred to Christmas Island, where they will undergo initial security, health and identity checks and their reasons for travel will be established.

People arriving in Australian waters by boat without a visa after August 13, 2012, run the risk of being transferred to a regional processing country.