More than 200 rioters torched buildings and tried to escape a crowded Australian offshore detention centre in an escalation of protests to gain asylum in the country, officials said on Friday.
More than 100 police firing non-lethal so-called bean bag rounds and tear gas canisters regained control over the detention centre on Christmas Island after the riot started on Thursday night, Immigration Minister Chris Bowen said.
"A group of around 200 protesters seem to think that violent behaviour is an acceptable way to influence the outcome of their visa application or influence government decision-making," he told reporters.
"Last night, buildings were damaged, fires were lit and there were violent approaches to the Australian Federal Police," he added.
According to the Australian Federal Police Deputy Commissioner, two administration buildings were burned as well as seven accommodation tents after more than 200 asylum seekers armed with bricks and poles and throwing rocks charged police and the perimeter fences.
Some rioters breached the perimeter wall and police were not yet sure whether all had been recaptured, he said.
Two asylum seekers were taken to hospital, one with chest injuries and another suffering chest pains, an Immigration Department official said.
The riot follows a week of sometimes violent protests at immigration detention centres on the Indian Ocean island and on the Australian mainland over delays in processing asylum applications.
Authorities are struggling to cope with increasing numbers of asylum seekers from Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran and Sri Lanka who attempt to reach Australia by boat.
They are responding to the riots by accelerating plans to relocate hundreds of the 2,500 detainees on Christmas Island to mainland detention centres to reduce overcrowding and by bringing in police reinforcements.
A total of 105 detainees, none of whom was involved in the fracas, were flown from the island on Friday, while 70 police were flown in, bringing total police strength to 188.
More than 100 police firing non-lethal so-called bean bag rounds and tear gas canisters regained control over the detention centre on Christmas Island after the riot started on Thursday night, Immigration Minister Chris Bowen said.
"A group of around 200 protesters seem to think that violent behaviour is an acceptable way to influence the outcome of their visa application or influence government decision-making," he told reporters.
"Last night, buildings were damaged, fires were lit and there were violent approaches to the Australian Federal Police," he added.
According to the Australian Federal Police Deputy Commissioner, two administration buildings were burned as well as seven accommodation tents after more than 200 asylum seekers armed with bricks and poles and throwing rocks charged police and the perimeter fences.
Some rioters breached the perimeter wall and police were not yet sure whether all had been recaptured, he said.
Two asylum seekers were taken to hospital, one with chest injuries and another suffering chest pains, an Immigration Department official said.
The riot follows a week of sometimes violent protests at immigration detention centres on the Indian Ocean island and on the Australian mainland over delays in processing asylum applications.
Authorities are struggling to cope with increasing numbers of asylum seekers from Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran and Sri Lanka who attempt to reach Australia by boat.
They are responding to the riots by accelerating plans to relocate hundreds of the 2,500 detainees on Christmas Island to mainland detention centres to reduce overcrowding and by bringing in police reinforcements.
A total of 105 detainees, none of whom was involved in the fracas, were flown from the island on Friday, while 70 police were flown in, bringing total police strength to 188.
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