AMSA confirms 106 asylum seekers rescued after boat capsized off Christmas Island

Authorities have recovered 106 asylum seekers from the water after the boat they were on capsized about 220 kilometres off Christmas Island.

HMAS Parramatta and a Customs plane were sent to the area by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) after it received a call that the boat was in distress.

Two people are reported to have minor injuries and search and rescue operations are continuing in the area.

Earlier, an AMSA spokeswoman confirmed that the boat had capsized and that a second Navy vessel was on its way to assist the operation.

Customs said a Dash-8 surveillance aircraft and merchant vessel were also assisting.

After news of a boat in distress broke, Indonesian authorities said they had sent out an alert to international shipping channels and local ports.

Rescue agency Basarnas says it learnt this morning that the boat was in trouble and believed it had sunk.