The Christmas Island riot was inevitable given the influx of criminals joining the general asylum seeker population at the detention centre, says a former Australian immigration insider.
The Christmas Island riot was inevitable given the influx of criminals joining the general asylum seeker population at the detention centre, says a former Australian immigration insider.
Trouble broke out at the centre, which is operated by Serco, early on Monday after the death of an asylum seeker who had escaped.
The facility houses both asylum seekers and New Zealanders with criminal records awaiting deportation.
Detainees on the island described fires and damage to facilities, with some saying they feared for their safety at the hands of the rioters.
The Australian government said it took tear-gas and some use of force to quell unrest and regain control of the detention centre yesterday.
Australian Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said claims that some of those involved in the disturbances were armed with gardening equipment will be thoroughly investigated.