The Australian Immigration Department has confirmed 16 asylum seekers are on hunger strike at a Darwin detention centre.
A fence at an immigration detention centre in Darwin, Australia (file photo). Photo: AAP
The department said a number of detainees had been refusing food and water at the detention centre.
The Refugee Action Coalition told the ABC the strike involved 16 asylum seekers from Bangladesh and started on Monday.
It said some had been in detention for up to three years with no movement on their asylum claims
The group said their condition was deteriorating and one person was hospitalised earlier this week.
The department said it took detainees' health very seriously and was engaging with those protesting.
- ABC