Six charged over deadly Groote Eylandt riot

Six men aged between 19 and 55 have been charged following a riot on Groote Eylandt last week in which two men died.

Six men aged between 19 and 55 have been charged following a riot on Groote Eylandt last week in which two men died.

Riot squad officers were called in after fighting broke out on Friday, sparked by an ­argument between two women that followed weeks of tension related to family feuds and a previous death.

About 70 people are thought to have been involved. Police seized more than 160 weapons, including axes and spears.

A 55-year-old man was yesterday charged with murder following the death of a 29-year-old man. A 15-year-old male was also charged with a string of offences and released on bail.

No one has yet been charged over the death of a 19-year-old man also killed during the riot. A police spokesman said officers had eight people in custody and were continuing their inquiries.

The charges came after police obtained video footage taken on a mobile phone.

Groote Eylandt’s main community of Angurugu is home to about 1200 people from 14 clans, who live close to each other. It is an environment locals have ­likened to a “pressure cooker”.