Immigration Minister Peter Dutton has confirmed the Federal Government is facing a $10 million damage bill in the wake of this week’s riot at the Christmas Island detention centre, with centre operator Serco suspending three staff.

Mr Dutton told Macquarie Radio those behind the disturbance could face criminal charges, and branded them “some of the country’s worst criminals”.

Another 10 detainees suspected of being involved in the riot are being transferred from the island, after seven detainees were on Wednesday flown to a maximum security prison in Perth.

• Christmas Island detainees flown to prison as riot images emerge
• Tear gas used on Christmas Island
• Christmas Island facility ‘under control’

A police source has told the ABC two of the New Zealanders taken from Christmas Island were members of outlaw motorcycle gangs. One belongs to the Rebels and the other the Comancheros.

“These people will have to pay for the damage that they’ve caused through the courts,” he said.

“We’re dealing with some of the country’s worst criminals. I think people recognise now that the population that’s in the immigration detention centre on Christmas Island is made up of some very serious criminals.”

Mr Dutton also confirmed the nationalities of the seven men who have been transferred to a Perth prison facility, saying they included five New Zealanders, one Tongan and one Afghan.

The Department of Immigration and Border Protection released footage and images on Wednesday showing extensive damage to the centre during the riot, which followed the death of Iranian Kurdish man Fazal Chegeni.

Damage at the centre was thought to be only $1m Photo: Department of Immigration and Border Protection

The initial estimate of the damage bill had been $1 million.

Mr Dutton said detainees had also broken into the medical centre and took drugs, saying they had their run of the centre after Serco guards left their positions.

He described the Serco officers he had personally met as “very decent people”, but said an investigation was being conducted into management at the centre.

“It’s unacceptable,” he said.

“We expect that the centre is run appropriate and clearly in this case there’s been a failing.”

In a statement, Serco said the centre was “appropriately staffed”.

“All Serco staff are fully trained for their roles and understand their responsibilities and the requirements of each role,” it read.

“In this case we are investigating the circumstances that led to the escape and have suspended three staff pending the investigation. Christmas Island Immigration Detention Centre is appropriately staffed for the detainees at the facility.”

Several fires were lit at the centre. Photo: Department of Immigration and Border Protection

– ABC