( CNN ) -- A ship carrying about 200 people capsized in the waters between Australia and Indonesia , rescue officials in both countries said Thursday . A merchant ship was diverted to the scene and is taking on survivors , said Jo Meehan of the Australian Marine Safety Authority . An Australian naval vessel has also arrived on the scene and is preparing to take on survivors . In addition , an Australian Defence Forces aircraft at the location has dropped four life craft capable of carrying a total of 60 people , she said . Indonesia said it is sending two warships to assist Australian rescue efforts . Three shipwrecked fishermen lived on clams , seaweed for 10 days . `` We never know the exact number of people onboard as they get onboard illegally , '' said Gagah Prakoso , a spokesman for Indonesia 's Search and Rescue Agency . The vessel is 110 nautical miles northwest of Christmas Island . The Australian territory is closer to Indonesia and in the latter 's designated search-and-rescue area , said Susan Usher of the Western Australian Police . She would not characterize the people aboard the vessel nor did she know their fate . Christmas Island has been the scene of another recent boat capsizing . At least 28 people died in December 2010 when a boat carrying asylum seekers crashed into cliffs near the coast of the island . Most of the people on the boat were from Iran and Iraq , a rescue worker said at the time . U.S. Navy rescues Iranian in capsized boat .
The ship overturns midway between Australia and Indonesia . Vessels are on the scene in hope of rescuing survivors . - A plane carrying more than 100 people crashes into a mountain near Mount Agung, killing all but one person aboard.