TAK – Security officials were checking for possible escapees after about 300 Chinese being held in a detention zone in Mae Sot district, bordering Myanmar, rioted on Tuesday night.

Immigration police were informed of the unrest at a detention facility in the compound of the 346th border patrol police company in tambon Tha Sai Luat about 11.30pm on Tuesday.

Police reinforcements accompanied by soldiers were rushed to the scene to restore order. A fire truck equipped with a water canon was also deployed there and put to use, and the rioting mob was brought under control

Officials said the rioters were illegal migrants. They damaged surveillance cameras, filing  cabinets and chairs. Some of the Chinese detainees fought with each another. One was injured.

Police said the detainees were demanding that authorities speed up their repatriation to China.

Rolls were being checked on Wednesday to ascertain if any of the detainees absconded during the disturbance.