SYDNEY (MarketWatch) -- Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard said at a press conference on Thursday that 28 bodies, including those of a number of young people and children, have been recovered after a boat broke up on the cliffs of Christmas Island early the previous day. Gillard said that 42 people have been rescued according to the most recent advice. It's not known how many people were on the boat, she said. The boat was carrying Iranian, Iraqi and Kurdish nationals according to initial assessments, Gillard said. "There will be public debate about policies" on asylum seekers and refugees, Gillard said, adding that she's in favor of such a debate and has invited all political parties to help manage the response to the event. Christmas Island is located between Australia and Indonesia.

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