VALLETTA, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- At least 19 migrants were arrested in another violent protest in Malta's Safi detention center, local police told Xinhua on Tuesday.
Sources said trouble started brewing at around 7:30 p.m. Monday when officers stationed at the center called for assistance after they saw a situation that was escalating and could possibly get out of hand.
The migrants tried opening the main gate to escape but did not manage. They were banging on the security fences demanding their immediate release, according to the sources.
A police spokesman confirmed that assistance had been sought and that scores of police officers were deployed to the scene. Once inside, the migrants were ordered to lie down on the ground until the situation was brought under control.
The spokesman said that 19 were arrested while others were detained shortly for their participation in the protest.
No one was injured in the protest.
This is not the first violent protest at the Safi detention center, close to the airport. In October, migrants smashed offices of the center's management and set alight cars belonging to the officials.
