15 Nov 2010

Asylum-seekers in hospital after brawl

6:08 pm on 15 November 2010

Seven young male asylum-seekers have been taken to hospital after a brawl broke out at a Melbourne immigration detention centre.

The youths, aged between 15 and 18, were taken to hospital with cuts and bruising. One has a possible fractured nose.

Another three youths were treated at the scene.

Immigration officials say they are still seeking information about the incident, including whether those involved were staying at the centre with their families or were unaccompanied minors.

The brawl broke out after 98 unaccompanied minors were transferred from Australia's Christmas Island detention centre to the Melbourne centre at the weekend.

A Department of Immigration spokesperson says 136 people are being held at the centre.