123 rescued from sunk boat off Austrilian isle

SYDNEY - About 123 people have been rescued after an asylum seeker boat capsized en route to Australia, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) said on Wednesday.

"A rescue is underway from a capsized vessel approximately 107 nautical miles north of Christmas Island," AMSA said in an update published on Wednesday afternoon on its website.

"Approximately 123 people have been rescued," the Authority said.

"There are three merchant vessels and one naval vessel - HMAS Maitland on scene."

Royal Australian Navy vessel HMAS Leeuwin is also on its way and is expected to be at the scene on Wednesday afternoon.

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard confirmed that 123 people have been rescued.

"As we speak, my best advice is 123 people have been rescued," she told Federal Parliament on Wednesday.