Riot erupts at Don Dale

TWO inmates were responsible for starting a riot at Darwin’s notorious Don Dale Youth Detention Centre when they attacked a guard, stole his keys and released detainees from their cells.

A group of inmates then set the facility’s school on fire, which was destroyed, and grabbed angle grinders to cut fences and try to escape.

It took police more than seven hours to find all of the detainees after the emergency began about 7pm on Tuesday. The fire also had to be put out.

All 25 inmates were yesterday in cells at the Darwin police station. The Don Dale centre has been declared a crime scene and is not operational. Flames and smoke were seen throughout the incident on Tuesday night as a public address system relayed a message to inmates.

“This is the police. Drop your weapons. Your actions are being monitored. There will be consequences.”

Worried parents of some of the detainees drove to the centre after reading about the riot on social media.

Two physically large inmates with cognitive problems, and described as “really, really challenging” by authorities, allegedly attacked the guard.

It is the second time in three weeks keys have been stolen from a corrections officer at Don Dale.

One staff member suffered injuries including lacerations.