19 Feb 2014

Multiple investigations launched into Manus clashes in PNG

2:51 pm on 19 February 2014

Australia and Papua New Guinea have both announced investigations into recent violence at the Manus Island detention centre that left one asylum seeker dead.

More than 70 asylum seekers have been treated for injuries after rioting and clashes on Sunday and Monday.

Three people were taken to Port Moresby for treatment, with one flown to Australia.

Jamie Tahana has more:

"Most of the injured appeared to have head injuries said to be consistent with beatings, with witnesses accusing local police, but the police are blaming the camp's security firm, G4S. The dead man is an Iranian national whose identity has not yet been released, nor has there been any word on what will happen to the body. Iran's official IRNA news agency is reporting the country's foreign ministry has summoned the Australian ambassador to protest against the death. Australia's immigration minister, Scott Morrison, says a government inquiry will be held into the clashes, to be headed by the secretary of the immigration department, Martin Bowles. The PNG prime minister, Peter O'Neill, has also released a statement saying an inquiry by PNG police, defence and immigration officials is underway and illegal acts will be dealt with under PNG law. No asylum seekers sent to PNG since the camp's opening have had their refugee claims determined, but both countries are standing by their commitment to maintain the isolated detention camps."