(AKI) - The Italian government has decided to fast-track the deportation of Tunisian illegal immigrants held on the southern island of Lampedusa after around 100 of them rioted upon receiving expulsion orders and started fires at the detention centre. "Calm has now been restored at the centre after the disturbances today and the fires that were started," said the interior ministry.
"Part of the building has temporarily had to close, however. For this reason, we have decided to bring forward the deportation of some of those detainees who have received expulsion orders," the ministry added.
Around ten people including firemen and illegal immigrants at the detention centre required medical treatment after inhaling smoke from several fires started by rioters.
Clashes occurred between illegal immigrants and police and a portacabin which served as one of the immigrants' dormitories was burnt down during the riot.
Lampedusa's detention centre has recently suffered severe overcrowding after Maroni's decision to seek the immediate repatriation of illegal immigrants rather than transfer them to facilities elsewhere in Italy.
The conservative Italian government headed by prime minister Berlusconi hopes the policy will discourage future illegal migrants from heading for Lampedusa once they realise it is not a gateway to mainland Italy and Europe.
The island, which lies around 113 kilmetres from Tunisia and 205 kilometres south of Sicily, has become the main landing point for rapidly growing numbers of illegal immigrants arriving in Italy by sea from North Africa.