Australia to tighten security after asylum seekers brawl

CANBERRA, Nov. 23 — Security will be tightened at a detention center where asylum seekers are being held, Australian Immigration Minister Chris Evans said on Monday.

The decision follows a brawl on Christmas Island on Saturday involving about 150 Afghan and Sri Lankan detainees.

A number of those injured in the brawl were flown to Australia for treatment. Some guards also suffered minor injuries.

Authorities have separated the Afghan and Sri Lankan detainees involved in the brawl.

Evans told the parliament the incident was "very concerning" and those responsible would be charged if an Australian Federal Police investigation was able to identify them.

"Cleary though, security at the center will be tightened to ensure we don't have any incidents like this again," he said.

It was a "very serious incident" but that the cause was not yet clear.

Evans said the removal of six Sri Lankan men against their will, and their deportation back to Colombo about two weeks ago, had caused some anxiety among detainees.

"So there was a degree of anxiety in the center as a result of those decisions and some other unfavorable decisions that went against those seeking asylum," he said.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd told the parliament that detainees involved in the riot could be stopped from getting visas if they were found to have committed a serious offense. (PNA/Xinhua)

DCT/ebp

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