The death toll from yesterday's Christmas Island tragedy has risen to 28 this morning, with the federal government conceding up to 100 asylum seekers might have been aboard the ill-fated vessel.
Immigration Minister Chris Bowen's office confirmed the new toll today as questions mount about how the boat managed to get so far, and into so much trouble, without being intercepted.
Twenty-seven people had been confirmed dead last night after the boat smashed against rocks off the island.
Mr Bowen told radio station 3MTR today that 44 Iranian and Iraqi asylum seekers had survived the crash, which occurred about 6am in Flying Fish Cove.
Of the survivors, 11 said they were younger than 18, Mr Bowen told Sky News this morning.
Mr Bowen said initial reports suggested between 70 and 100 asylum seekers were on the vessel, but that figure had not been verified.
"It's too early to say. We're obviously talking to some of the asylum seekers, and that will continue to happen," he said.
"People who have survived say there were between 70 and 100," he told 3MTR.
"But we really don’t know and we probably never will," Mr Bowen said, adding weather conditions in the area were extremely dangerous.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard has cancelled holidays as her government braced for the high death toll.
The dead include women and children.
Home Affairs Minister Brendan O’Connor confirmed the search for survivors would continue today.
"The search will continue at first light. We’ll have to continue the search before we can determine precisely the number [on board].
"It’s clearly a tragic situation for the victims, the victims' families and the people of Christmas Island," he said.
Video of tragedy on page.
Christmas Island tragedy.
Christmas Island tragedy.
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”