THE names of five Afghan asylum-seekers who died in a boat explosion off the coast of Australia have been released by Northern Territory police.
Acting Commander Peter Bravos said the "unusual step" had been taken because there had been problems establishing their identities and police still had questions about the accuracy of the names.
"It has been decided to take the unusual step of releasing the names of those believed to be the deceased in the hope that others may have information which will further assist us with this process," Comm Bravos said.
Awaz Nader, 50, Baquer Husani, 26, Mohammed Amen Zamen, 38, Mohammed Hasan Ayobi, 45, Muzafar Ali Safarali, 45, are among the names NT police have "cautiously" made public.
Three bodies were found at the blast scene while two bodies went missing in the surrounding water.
It is not known which names correspond to the recovered bodies.
Comm Bravos said the formal identification of the five men was continuing.
"A number of difficulties are delaying the process," he said.
"We believe all five of the deceased are Afghan nationals and the current war status in Afghanistan is further hindering our efforts."
It's still unclear what caused the blast, which also injured more than 40 people near Ashmore Reef on April 16.
The vessel, carrying 47 Afghan asylum-seekers and two crew, had been intercepted the previous day and was waiting to be escorted to Christmas Island when the incident occurred.
NT police - conducting an investigation into the incident for the NT coroner - is yet to reveal whether the blast was an accident or the result of sabotage.
But Comm Bravos said more than 130 statements had now been taken, including 44 interviews.
A second round of interviews started last week.
A separate investigation is being carried out by the Australian Federal Police into people-smuggling.
NT police can be contacted by anyone with information on (08) 8922 1505.
