Vic: Inmates in violent detention centre protest
20 Apr 2009 11:59 PM
MELBOURNE, April 21 AAP - About 20 detainees have taken part in a violent protest at the Maribyrnong Immigration Detention Centre in Melbourne's west.
Police, firefighters and ambulance crews were called to the detention centre in Hampstead Road about 8pm (AEST) on Monday and were placed on stand-by outside the facility.
An Immigration Department spokesman said the incident involved mainly Chinese nationals, but the reasons for it were unclear.
"About 20 detainees became aggressive and were involved in property damage at the Maribyrnong Immigration Detention Centre," he told AAP.
Staff had a management plan in place and were negotiating with the detainees to bring about a peaceful end to the drama, the spokesman said.
A Metropolitan Fire Brigade spokesman said emergency crews were stood down outside the centre about 11.30pm.
Victoria Police spokesman Senior Constable Wayne Wilson said the incident was now at an end.
"We assisted with negotiations. Those negotiations ended successfully and we have withdrawn," he said.
