SHOTS have been fired and at least one asylum seeker injured during a violent incident at the Manus Island detention centre.

The Australian Immigration and Border Protection Department confirmed in a statement an “incident” had occurred at the detention centre and it was monitoring the situation.

“There are reports PNG military personnel discharged a weapon into the air during the incident,” the department said.

media_camera A picture purporting to show a bullet hole. Picture: Supplied.

The department said a male detainee had been injured when he was hit by a rock. The violence reportedly broke out when locals tried to put an end to a soccer game that was being played by asylum seekers.

The detainees were forced to shelter inside when locals stormed the facility, with reports of sustained gunfire.

Initial reports suggested both Papua New Guinean Police and Navy were involved in the shooting.

media_camera A Manus Island detainee records a video inside the centre.

A Refugee Action Coalition (RAC) spokesman said around 100 shots were fired while other reports indicate a mob also stormed the complex throwing rocks and other projectiles.

“Wilson security and all staff have fled the compounds, leaving refugees and asylum seekers unprotected and concerned for their lives,” RAC said on its website.

Chilling video emerged from inside the centre, showing a detainee describing “locals” firing on him. He says “I don’t know what to do” as more shots are heard nearby and the footage concludes.

Behrouz Boochani, an Iranian-born journalist and asylum seeker held on Manus Island, tweeted that some shots had hit buildings in the compound. “Navy have shot more than 100 times, some of the bullets have hit rooms. The situation on #Manus is critical,” he wrote.

media_camera A picture purporting to show bullet holes in a detainee’s room at Manus Island, in the Fox Compound. Picture: Refugee Action Coalition

media_camera A picture purporting to show bullet holes at Manus Island.

Images provided by the Refugee Action Coalition are said to show bullet holes in a detainee’s room in the Foxtrot Compound. It also released what it says is audio of gun shots.

Detainee, Imran Mohammed, told Fairfax: “Our camp is under attack. The Navy officers are firing. I am hiding in my room.”

Navy have shot more than 100 times, some of them have broken into rooms. The situation on #Manus is critical — Behrouz Boochani (@BehrouzBoochani) 14 April 2017

The men want it known that the locals did not have guns. it was the navy and the police who were shooting. — RAC Canberra (@rac_canberra) 14 April 2017

Guns/machetes/riots - Wilson security & all staff have fled compounds, leaving refugees/ asylum seekers unprotected/scared for their lives — RAC Canberra (@rac_canberra) 14 April 2017

media_camera A picture purporting to show bullet holes. Picture: Supplied.

RELATED: Two Iranian asylum seekers bashed by police on Manus Island, says rights group

Greens Senator Nick McKim said via Twitter that the situation was “very disturbing”.



media_camera A 2012 supplied image of the Manus Island facility. Picture: Getty Images

Audio of 'shots fired' at Manus Island Audio of 'shots fired' at Manus Island

Originally published as One injured in Manus Island chaos