LNG carrier in rescue off Cocos Islands

Home affairs minister Brendan O'Connor said there were believed to be 39 people on the boat when began sinking after calling for help on Sunday.

One person has been confirmed dead and 11 are still missing.

The 2005-built, 76,500 dwt LNG Pioneer, which was listed by Dampier Port Authority as being due to arrive there on Friday, had instead diverted to assist in the emergency response, taking the survivors aboard.

Seven aircraft were searching for the missing people this morning.

A Japanese fishing vessel was to join the search today after a Taiwanese vessel, which had been helping the search efforts, was forced to leave the area to refuel.

Customs and Border Protection did not confirm reports that the vessel was still afloat when LNG Pioneer was within a few hundred metres of her.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority responded to a distress call from the stricken vessel on Sunday morning and called for ships in the area to assist.

The name of the vessel and where she came from was unknown, though there were widespread reports that the people were seeking asylum.