Australian Police Investigate Asylum Seeker Riot

NBC News Channel
Published: November 23, 2009

Australian police have started to investigate a riot by about 150 asylum seekers at an island immigration detention center.

Ten asylum seekers hurt in the violence arrived by plane in Perth Sunday night to receive medical treatment.

Detainees allegedly attacked one another with broomsticks and pool cues according to local media reports Monday.

Asylum seekers from Sri Lanka and Afghanistan were separated at the Christmas Island Detention Center after the brawl which left 37 people injured.

Australia’s immigration minister blamed tensions among the Sri Lankans after the Australian government refused to accept some Sri Lankans as refugees and sent them home.

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