Australians have been expressing shock after a boat filled with asylum seekers capsized on its way from Indonesia, killing at least seven people. Some 57 people, thought to be from Iran and Afghanistan, were rescued but many others are still missing.

Immigration Minister Chris Bowen said he expected no more survivors. The tragedy has reopened the long-running debate in Australia about the fate of asylum seekers trying to reach the country by boat. Prime Minister Julia Gillard had tried to tackle the issue by agreeing a deal with Malaysia whereby hundreds of the asylum seekers would be processed there.

But Australian courts ruled that her proposals were illegal, and she was forced to abandon them. Thousands of asylum seekers try to reach Australia by boat every year, many paying people-smugglers in Indonesia to transport them.