Arson at Safi as immigrants protest

Illegal immigrants torched two guard posts and some mattresses at the Safi detention centre yesterday and threw stones at firemen who were attempting to douse the fire.

The immigrants were demanding to be let out following the release of another group in the morning. Their own release is due next week.

Sources said that around 12 immigrants escaped from the compound but later returned without leaving the general area of the barracks. Another group of 12 later did the same, again without leaving the area.

One of the groups carried a burning mattress outside.

Members of the Civil Protection Department said stones where thrown in their direction as they were trying to put out the fire. The firemen then had no alternative but to return to the perimeter, leaving the mattresses and guard posts to burn to a cinder.

Members of the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) were seen wearing riot gear during the earlier stages of the incident. Meanwhile, AFM and detention service vans surrounded the compound together with unarmed personnel.

Calm was restored in the afternoon when Lt Col Brian Gatt, head of the detention service, and three other officers negotiated with the immigrants. The soldiers were later seen entering the compound.

There were no reported injuries.