[WATCH] 107 migrants held over Hal Far riot

Two police vans leave Hal Far open centre with around 40 migrants

Some 107 migrants have been arrested in conjunction with a riot that took place at the open centre in Hal Far on Sunday night.

Those arrested were transported to the General Police Headquarters for questioning. 

The Civil Protection Department performed checks in each room at the Hal Far centre, where some residents were ordered to leave the premises with their belongings. They were escorted outside by a police contingent. It is as yet unclear when they would return.

READ MORE: Police car damaged, three other vehicles burnt as migrants protest in Hal Far

The police confirmed that one of the vehicles set on fire belonged to an employee at the Agency for the Welfare of Asylum Seekers.

Police officers enter the Hal far open centre

Earlier in the day, a large contingent of police officers in riot gear entered the open centre. Another contingent is stationed outside.

The gates to the centre were closed and journalists kept outside. Officers first ordered all residents inside to stay in their rooms.

NGO representatives, including Fr Dionysius Mintoff, Yana Mintoff Bland and volunteers from the Integra Foundation were kept outside.

Police have also put up a drone to Monitor the situation

Police officers have gathered at the AFM base a 100 meters away

Fr Dionysius asked police officers to let him in so that he could take the children, if any, to his place of refuge just down the road. He was denied entry with police officers insisting nobody was allowed in or out.

However, he was later informed by police officers that there were no children inside the open centre.