Arabic version: مراسم في كانبيرا تكرّم ضحايا «إس آي إي في إكس» بعد 25 عاماً

According to ABC News, mourners gathered at Canberra’s SIEV X Memorial to mark 25 years since 353 asylum seekers died when a fishing boat bound for Christmas Island sank. The disaster, on October 19, 2001, remains the deadliest known asylum seeker boat tragedy in Australian history.

The 20-metre vessel was carrying more than 400 people when its engine failed in heavy seas. It capsized and sank in international waters 70 kilometres south of the Indonesian island of Java. Indonesian fishing boats rescued 45 survivors more than 20 hours later. Of those who died, 146 were children.

Although the vessel did not sink in Australian waters, the tragedy occurred in a border protection surveillance area temporarily designated by Australia. Many victims have never been publicly identified, and no full judicial inquiry has been held. The name SIEV X is a naval acronym for Suspected Illegal Entry Vessel X.

At Weston Park on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin, the memorial’s wooden poles each represent a person who died, with their heights reflecting victims’ ages. Refugee Action Campaign Canberra organised the anniversary service. Memorial co-founder Steve Biddulph said about 220 names had been tracked down and written on poles, while more than 100 remained unpublished. SIEV X Memorial Association ACT president Paul Meyer said he hoped the site would continue to be a beacon of compassion.