A refugee living in Australia's offshore detention centre on Nauru has been killed in a motorcycle accident.

The 29-year-old Bangladeshi man "died after the motorcycle on which he was travelling collided with another vehicle", according to the Nauruan government, which said police were investigating.

The Nauru detention centre has been "open" since late 2015, allowing refugees and asylum seekers to move freely around the 21-square kilometre island nation. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

The government also directly addressed rumours circulating on social media that the death was not an accident, branding them "false".

The Nauru detention centre has been "open" since late 2015, allowing refugees and asylum seekers to move freely around the 21-square kilometre island nation.

The death occurred as the tense stand-off on Manus Island persisted, with detainees of the male-only compound refusing to relocate to alternative accommodation, citing safety concerns.

The man is the 12th person to die in Australia's offshore detention network, including Christmas Island, since 2014.

Others have included Reza Berati, who was murdered during a riot on Manus Island, Omid Masoumali, who self-immolated on Nauru, Kamil Hussain, who drowned off Manus Island, as well as several deaths from medical issues and suicides.