The families of dozens of immigrants from Iran and Iraq who drowned in 2010 are suing the Australian government, claiming officials did not do enough to save them, the BBC reported.
Nearly 50 people were killed when their boat crashed into rocks off the coast of Christmas Island, Australia on Dec. 15, 2010. The victims, most coming from Iran and Iraq, were on their way to seek asylum in Australia.
Relatives claim the government knew their lives were in danger but did not take action, George Newhouse, who represents the plaintiffs, said according to the BBC.
"We believe that the evidence will show that the Commonwealth knew, or should have known, that there were vulnerable men, women and children that were on the high seas in a storm and took insufficient steps to look out for them," the lawyer said in a statement obtained by AFP.
Coast guard teams were able to rescue 42 people from the shipwreck. Another 50 are believed to have drowned, the BBC reported.
The lawsuit, filed in New South Wales Supreme Court, is "shameful," Immigrant Minister Scott Morrison said.
"Sure, people have the right to bring cases to court- we are a free country- but they have to be accountable for the claims," Morrison said according to the BBC.
A person accused of smuggling Iranians for over 10 years was sentenced in 2012 in connection to the Christmas Island boat and others that he used for his smuggling operation.
A coroner's investigation found the smugglers responsible for the deadly crash, the BBC reported. The same coroner also faulted the government for not having enough rescue equipment on the island.
But it appears Morrison disagrees.
"This is like someone who has been saved from a fire suing the fireman," Morrison said.
