Breakout at Australia's PNG detention centre

A number of asylum-seekers have been injured and some arrested after escaping from an Australian immigration detention centre on Papua New Guinea's Manus Island.

Australian Immigration Minister Scott Morrison said on Monday that 35 people escaped onSunday evening, but that they were quickly rounded up by private security contractors atthe facility, one of two remote Pacific camps used in Canberra's punitiveoff-shore detention policy.

"A full face-to-photo identification has been conducted and all transfereeshave been accounted for," Morrison said, according to AFP news agency.

If you don't want to be in immigration detention, don't come illegally to Australia.

Tony Abbott, Australian Prime Minister

Eight detainees were arrested over the disturbance and Morrison said 19 were presented to the medical centre for treatment, "none of whom were exhibitinglife threatening conditions".

"As at this morning, five of those transferees remained at the clinic. Anumber of G4S (security contractor) staff also sustained minor injuries", he added.

Morrison said power poles and fences were toppled during the fracas and bunk beds were smashed to fashion makeshift weapons, but there was no destruction of accommodation.

Though security staff used "personal protection gear", Morrison said no weapons were used.

Any asylum seeker arriving by boat or intercepted at sea is transferred to Manus or Nauru for processing and resettlement outside Australia.

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Breakout at Australia's PNG detention centre