Charges laid over rioting

TOWNSVILLE - Nine men have been charged over riots on Queensland's Palm Island sparked by the death of an Aboriginal man in police custody.

Police say calm has now been restored to the tropical island off the far north Queensland coast.

The men, aged between 26 and 54, will appear in Townsville Magistrate's Court today charged with offences including arson, assault on police and rioting. The charges relate to the burning down of the island's police station, courthouse and police accommodation.

The police presence on the island was boosted to 80 following the rampage by locals, angered over the death of Cameron Doomadgee, 36, in police custody on November 19.

Around 300 Aboriginal residents rioted, attacking the courthouse and burning the police station to the ground, forcing local police to flee the island.

An "emergent" situation has been declared on the island which allows police to take control of the airport, school and hospital.

A police spokesman said the island was relatively calm and police were hopeful it would stay that way.

The riot followed the release of a post-mortem examination which said Doomadgee had four broken ribs and died from a punctured lung.

Queensland Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson said Doomadgee's injuries happened in a scuffle with police when he was being taken from a prison van following his arrest on drinking charges.

"There was a scuffle and the police officer and the person who has died then fell to the ground on some concrete steps. It is my understanding that the injuries sustained by the deceased person were entirely consistent with that version of events."

Atkinson said officers on the island had been in fear of their lives at the height of the riot. He said there would be an inquiry, a Crime and Misconduct Commission investigation, a report to the coroner and a coronial inquest.

- AAP