lessons from previous attempts to "take down" centres on Nauru and emphasised that the Manus Island centre "has not been destroyed".

"The centre will be able to resume operations, as it has this morning - breakfast has been served," he said.

The latest incident follows one on Sunday night, when 35 asylum seekers escaped from the detention centre but were quickly recaptured.

The ABC has obtained video footage of that incident, shot from the perimeter of the compound.

It shows detainees shouting and throwing stones at guards and houses nearby.

The detainees are also seen rushing towards the main gate.

Mr Morrison says that breakout was the result of "much-heightened" tensions at the facility.

The Minister is in Darwin, where he planned to inspect patrol boats, but says he is returning to Canberra as soonas possible to be briefed.

Interactive: Australia’s offshore immigration centres Find out more about Australia’s operations on Christmas Island, Manus Island and Nauru.

Refugee advocate claims 'savage attacks' on asylum seekers

Refugee Action Coalition spokesman Ian Rintoul says the latest incident began with locals breaking into the centre.

"The perimeter fences were breached by locals, the centre had already been evacuated, and PNG police and locals carried out systematic attacks, savage attacks on the asylum seekers last night," he told ABC News Breakfast.

"If there are asylum seekers outside the perimeter fence it's because they've fled for their lives late last night from those attacks."

Sorry, this video has expired Video: Refugee advocate Ian Rintoul speaks with ABC News Breakfast (ABC News)

He says up to 50 people have been injured inside the compound.

"Bashings, cuts