Asylum seekers in Australia riot for second night

Australian authorities used water cannons and tear gas to quell a second night of rioting at a detention camp for illegal immigrants…

Australian authorities used water cannons and tear gas to quell a second night of rioting at a detention camp for illegal immigrants, throwing the spotlight once again on the country's controversial asylum policies.

The riots are the latest in a string of violence at the country's biggest and most isolated Woomera detention centre, one of six camps in Australia to house those who arrive illegally or overstay visas while their cases are assessed.

Attorney-General Mr Daryl Williams said detainees set fire to five buildings at Woomera. On Monday up to 15 buildings were set ablaze, five of which were destroyed, and 15 staff were treated for smoke inhalation.

An Immigration Department spokesman said about 300 of the 949 mostly Middle Eastern detainees at the camp were involved in the second riot, hurling rocks at staff and attacking a perimeter fence.

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Five staff were injured after being pelted with rocks and other missiles until tear gas was used to disperse the crowd. No detainees were injured.

Woomera was calm but tense today and the centre remained on a high security alert.

Australia has been criticised by human rights groups for a policy of automatically detaining illegal immigrants in secure centres while their applications, which can take years to process, are handled.