What has been described as an attempted "mutiny" last Tuesday by some of the around 1,400 immigrants being held at the El Matorral internment centre in Fuerteventura was suppressed by the eight police officers in charge of the centre.

Five officers and several internees sustained minor cuts and bruises during the brawl that occurred as the inmates were queuing up for their dinner. It seems that the incident started when one of the immigrants requested second helpings.

According to the regional secretary of the Spanish Police Confederation, Agustín Brito, "this type of situation is not new, and will happen again because the centres are getting more and more crowded and there are only a few officers to look after them. One day it's going to explode."

The photo shows the scene outside Tenerife court yesterday that are swamped following several days of intense migration activity.