A group of locals, including personnel from naval base, tried to break into camp to attack refugees after incident outside the centre, according to reports

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

Shots have been fired into the Manus Island detention centre as an armed mob attempted to storm the compound, according to reports from security personnel and refugees inside the centre.

At about 6.30pm on Friday, it was reported that a large group of local men had attempted to break into the camp to attack refugees and asylum seekers inside.

Several of the attackers, including reportedly some personnel from the naval base where the detention centre is located, were armed. Live rounds were fired into the compounds of the detention centre, as refugees and asylum seekers cowered inside.



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Security personnel working in the detention centre confirmed to Guardian Australia that shots had been fired into the detention centre. Bullets have reportedly been found inside some detention centre compounds, and bullet-holes identified in accommodation blocks.

There were reports of some injuries, but these have not been confirmed.

Manus province police commander David Yapu confirmed his officers had responded to reports of “a situation at the centre”. Reinforcement police had been sent to the detention centre.

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One refugee inside the camp told Guardian Australia: “The local guys attacked the camps, and they just used the guns. They just shoot the guns. I don’t know what to do.”

As he spoke, gunshots could be heard in the background, causing him to cower. Voices could be heard yelling in the background as well.



Another refugee said the navy personnel and police began firing and locals were with them throwing rocks at the camp.

“Refugees were beaten by police, navy and locals. After that police and navy started firing in air, but after 10 minutes they started shooting at the detention centre,” he said.

“Locals were moving in cars with rocks. And high horns ... about 20 minutes ago. We don’t know what will happen tonight.”



It is understood the incident may have been sparked by some sort of confrontation on a field just outside of the detention centre. Refugees – though not asylum seekers – are allowed, under certain conditions, outside the wire of the detention centre.

According to some reports, shortly after the incident on the field, a group of local men began attacking the centre with rocks and knives.

After PNG police fired shots at the group, the group, which reportedly included naval personnel, left only to return carrying weapons, and responded by firing at the PNG police and shooting into the compounds.

It is not clear how the incident escalated to the point of a large group trying to storm the detention centre or from where the weapons were brought.

Relations between the refugees and asylum seekers held within the detention centre and local Manusians wax and wane, but there is an underlying mistrust of the transplanted population on behalf of the local people and a fear from the refugees.

In February 2014, the detention centre was attacked during a riot and more than 70 asylum seekers seriously injured.

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One man was shot, another had his throat cut and Iranian asylum seeker Reza Barati was murdered by up to 15 people kicking him and jumping on his head.

Ian Rintoul from the Refugee Action Coalition, who has been in contact with several people on Manus Island, said the Manus detention centre was not safe, and should be immediately closed.

“It’s just further graphic proof of just how precarious the detention centre is and how vulnerable the men held inside are, that a small incident outside the detention could result in shots being fired at unarmed people, endangering the lives of asylum seekers and refugees.”