Asylum-seekers riot at Australian detention centre

Asylum-seekers and other detainees at an Australian immigration centre set fire to several buildings, climbed on to rooftops and hurled tiles at officials trying to bring the chaotic protest to an end. Up to 100 people being held at Sydney's Villawood Detention Centre were involved in the riots, which began on Wednesday night when two detainees climbed on to a roof.

Protesters set an oxygen cylinder alight, which led to an explosion, and nine buildings were gutted by fire. Firefighters brought the blaze under control yesterday. No one was injured.