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A protest by migrants at an open centre in Hal Far ended at 12.30 p.m. today, with the Organisation for the Integration and Welfare of Asylum Seekers (OIWAS) promising to consider and act on the complaints made.

The protest started at 7.30 a.m. when the migrants set up a barricade at the gate and would not let anybody in.

They were protesting over conditions at the camp, notably poor sanitary facilities, saying there were only 11 toilets, 11 showers and eight stoves for 400 people.

The migrants were eventually persuaded to allow in an OIWAS service manager, Sarah Borda Bondin, followed, at 11 a.m. by the head of the organisation, Alex Tortell.

They, however, repeatedly refused to let in the two Maltese administrators of the centre until the talks with Mr Tortell ended in agreement at about 12.30 p.m.

Mr Tortell admitted that the open centre - a converted aircraft hangar - was under pressure as the number of migrants released from detention centres increased. He said his organisation would improve the sanitary facilities and general conditions at the centre.

Following the talks, the administrators were allowed to enter the centre without problems.