Four drown after asylum boat capsizes FOUR people have died after an asylum seeker boat carrying about 150 passengers capsized in rough seas off Christmas Island. A dramatic navy rescue operation was sparked on Tuesday after the vessel capsized about 70 nautical miles off the remote island, flinging a large number of people into the sea. Two navy ships hauled 144 people alive from the water, but Customs and Border Protection confirmed four bodies were also recovered during the operation. Earlier in the day, HMAS Albany was called to assist the suspected asylum seeker boat, but couldn't board the crowded vessel due to bad weather. As the HMAS Albany and HMAS Warramunga were escorting the boat to Christmas Island it tipped, flinging a large number of people into the sea. A Royal Australian Air Force plane dropped a number of life rafts, while navy personnel pulled survivors from the water. Vessels in the area were also called to assist in the timely rescue, and the Customs vessel ACV Triton was radioed for help. Customs suspended the search at around 9:30pm (AEST). The Australian Maritime Safety Authority earlier believed up to 180 people were on board the vessel, but that was later scaled down.