Armed detainees in stand-off at detention centre

More than 300 detainees armed with knives and sharpened broomsticks were in a stand-off against security guards tonight at an illegal-immigrant detention centre in Australia’s remote northwest, officials said.

Federal justice minister Chris Ellison said authorities were trying to negotiate with the illegal immigrants carrying curtain rods, sharpened broomsticks, knives and cleavers at the Curtin Detention Centre in Western Australia state.