Siev X tragedy marked

THOUSANDS gathered on the shore of Canberra's Lake Burley Griffin yesterday to remember the 353 asylum-seekers who died when the Siev X, an unseaworthy fishing boat, sank off Western Australia in October 2001.

But the temporary memorial to the victims of the Siev X lasted only 10 minutes, as permanent memorials cannot be erected in Canberra unless they pass criteria set by the National Capital Authority - one being a period of 10 years required between the event and the memorial.

Participants from around the nation erected a decorated wooden pole for each person who died in the disaster.

Organisers of the project have vowed to continue their campaign for a permanent memorial.