WA:Detainees riot at Christmas Island

AAP General News (Australia)
12-17-2010
WA:Detainees riot at Christmas Island

PERTH, Dec 17 AAP - A riot has broken out at the Christmas Island detention centre
after some detainees were told they were being taken to identify bodies from the boat
crash on Wednesday, reports say.

Fairfax Radio and the Nine Network also reported that eight Afghan detainees had escaped
the custody of immigration officers on the island.

A boat carrying up to 100 asylum seekers, mostly from Iraq and Iran, crashed against
limestone rocks at Christmas Island on Wednesday at about 6am local time (1000 AEDT).

Forty-two people, including some children, were saved but dozens were killed when a
suspected engine failure combined with severe weather and sea swells caused the boat to
capsize after hitting the island's cliffs.

The West Australian reported that about 120 detainees at the centre were involved in
the Friday protest, including about a dozen children.

Police officers entered the compound to try to talk down the leaders of the riot as
the detainees gathered in the corner of the centre.

The Department of Immigration is yet to confirm any protest action at the centre.

Fairfax Radio said the riot appeared to have been triggered when people were taken
to the centre for processing and eight Afghan detainees had escaped at approximately 1.30pm
local time (1730 AEDT).

AAP anr/was

KEYWORD: BOAT CAPSIZE RIOT

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