SEREMBAN, Malaysia - More than 100 detainees escaped from an immigration depot in Lenggeng, a small town in the state of Negeri Sembilan in the central part of Peninsula Malaysia, Monday night after fire was set on the detention center.

Malaysian police told reporters on Tuesday in Seremban, capital of the Negeri Sembilan State, that the incident took place at 9. 45pm Monday.

Some 100 foreigners, believed to be mostly illegal workers from several countries, ran away from the detention block after the outburst of riot that resulted in the burning of the building.

The police have rearrested 23 of the detainees so far.