SYDNEY (AFP) - One hundred and six people were plucked to safety from a sinking asylum-seeker boat off Australia on Tuesday, with just two suffering minor injuries, rescuers said.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) had earlier reported a boat with approximately 105 people on board was in trouble.

It did not say if everyone had been accounted for, only that the rescue operation was continuing.

AMSA received a request for assistance from someone onboard the boat on Tuesday morning. A navy ship and a customs and border protection aircraft responded.

A merchant vessel also joined the rescue effort.

"The vessel was upright, but partially submerged. A number of people were sighted in the water," an AMSA spokesman said.

"Two people are reported to have minor injuries. Search and rescue operations continue."