A group of detainees at the Safi detention camp staged a riot yesterday morning that was later quelled by the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM).

Sources said detainees set a number of mattresses on fire and later staged a walkabout in the detention camp, while some had managed to gain access to the immediate vicinities of the compound. After Civil Protection Department personnel had extinguished the fire, the AFM moved in and contained the protesters.

In the afternoon Commander of Detention Service Lieutenant Colonel Brian Gatt held negotiations with the detainees who returned to their lodgings.

The AFM did not disclose either the reasons behind the detainees’ action or matters discussed by Lt Col. Gatt and the detainees.

The AFM said minor damage had been reported and the situation was now back to normal.