A boat carrying about 200 asylum seekers has capsized off the coast of Australia's remote Christmas Island, and authorities say it is likely many of them have drowned.

Officials from Australia's Maritime Safety Authority say 110 people have been rescued.

Western Australia state police commissioner Karl O'Callaghan said initial reports suggest at least 75 people are believed to have drowned. Indonesia's search and rescue agency is assisting with the rescue efforts.

Australia is a major destination for people fleeing impoverished, war-torn countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq and Sri Lanka. Many of them are crammed into crowded detention centers on Christmas Island and the Australian mainland.

In December 2010, about 50 asylum seekers died when the leaking, wooden boat they were traveling struck the island's rocky cliffs.