Dozens injured in asylum centre brawl

Dozens of men at the Christmas Island detention centre have been injured during a riot between Afghan and Sri Lankan detainees.


The brawl broke out between about 150 men at the centre on Saturday night.


Staff at the centre brought the riot under control within 30 minutes.


Thirty-seven detainees received medical treatment on the island, while a further 10 were treated in hospital.


Three men are being transferred to Perth for medical treatment, suffering a broken nose, leg and jaw.


Three staff members at the centre were also injured trying to break up the riot.


It is understood broken pool cues, tree branches and broom handles were used as weapons.


Department of Immigration spokeswoman Sandi Logan says a joint investigation with the Australian Federal Police is underway.


"The department and the detention services provider will rely on a number of reports, including closed-circuit television vision that is available," she said.