Indonesian policemen take positions at the entrance of Kerobokan prison as prisoners torch buildings inside the compound in Denpasar on the Indonesian resort island of Bali Wednesday. Photo: AFP

Indonesian forces Wednesday stormed a riot-hit prison housing murderers, pedophiles and Australian drug mules in Bali. The aim was to regain control after a night of arson and rock-throwing.

Guards were forced to abandon the overcrowded 1,000-inmate Kerobokan prison, which holds 12 convicted Australians, during the night-long riot. Authorities said no foreigners were injured or involved in the trouble.

Some 100 heavily armed police and military troops stormed the jail on the holiday island at around dawn, firing volleys of rubber bullets.

Officials said they intervened after attempts to negotiate with the prisoners had failed, and after some inmates managed to get hold of firearms.

"They were forced to open fire and three people were injured in the legs and taken to hospital," Bali deputy police chief, Ketut Untung Yoga Ana, told AFP. Another police official said later that an officer was also injured.

All 12 Australian prisoners at Kerobokan, including two on death row and six serving life sentences, are safe, Australia's foreign ministry said.

"The wing where the Australians are held is far from the place where we had the trouble. The Australians were not involved in any way," said Bali police spokesman Hariadi, who like many Indonesians goes by a single name.

Among the Australians at the jail are convicted drug trafficker Schapelle Corby and a group known as the "Bali Nine," who were caught attempting to smuggle drugs from Bali.

Up to 1,000 armed security forces backed by armored vehicles and a water cannon were stationed Wednesday morning outside the jail, which is in a suburban area of Bali seven kilometers from the tourism hub of Kuta beach.

"When we stormed in, they did put up a fight," Bali police chief Totoy Herawan Indra told reporters.

"The prisoners also took firearms from inside the warehouse, but we seized them before they could be used," he added.

Police said the situation had returned to normal by late afternoon, and that only about 30 armed personnel remained outside the prison.

Police and local reports said the trouble began when one inmate stabbed another prisoner on Sunday.

AFP