The bodies of nine asylum seekers have been found near Christmas Island, while another 60 are missing feared dead, after a vessel vanished last week. During a search and rescue operation that will continue into the night, Border Protection sent a plane that found the dead bodies on Saturday afternoon. A delay in starting the search-and-rescue mission has prompted renewed criticism of Australia's response to boats in distress. Former Australian diplomat Tony Kevin asked why there was an almost 46-hour lag from the time the boat, with up to 60 people on board, was reported "overdue" on its journey from Indonesia and the mounting of a search-and-rescue operation. There was an unconfirmed report that one body had been seen in the water. A spokesman for Home Affairs Minister Jason Clare said on Saturday afternoon that Border Protection Command was searching an area about 65 nautical miles north-west of Christmas Island for a possible foundered vessel. Mr Clare is travelling to Canberra for a briefing on the operation. Australia's Rescue Coordination Centre put out PAN-PAN (Potential Assistance Needed) calls at 10am on Friday asking for ships in the area to report sightings of a blue-hulled vessel carrying about 55 people. It is the second asylum seeker boat to capsize on its way to Australia this year. A boat overturned in March, 14 nautical miles north of Christmas Island - killing a pregnant woman and a young boy - and two boats capsized last year killing more than 100 people. Eight asylum seeker boats have arrived in Australia this week with 639 passengers on board.