Search continues for capsized asylum seekers

A large scale search continues for more survivors following the capsizing of an asylum seeker vessel north of Christmas Island.

110 survivors have been pulled from the water and the bodies of three men have also been recovered, but dozens remain missing.

The water is 29 degrees and officials say people could survive for up to 36 hours if they have life jackets or debris to hang on to.

The Maritime Safety Authority's Jo Meehan says there's a wide scale search underway.

"There are four merchant vessels on the scene in Indonesia at the moment and one Australian Defence Force vessel. We're expecting to have another Australian Defence Force vessel on scene, as well as five aircraft to undertake air surveillance."

And there's a scramble to try and figure out where the boat with asylum seekers came from.

110 survivors have been pulled from the water, 90 are still missing.

Australian authorities are now pointing the finger at Indonesia.

Seven Networks' Robert Ovadia, in Indonesia, says initial reports suggest it was coming from Sri Lanka.

"The political scramble now will be at what point Indonesia was to step in and possibly prevent this. This was 70 kilometres south of Indonesia when the Indonesian authorities were first alerted by Australian authorities."

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