Rioting in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, has followed the collapse of a fraudulent scheme to ship people to Australia.

Hundreds of people are reported to have thronged the quayside of the capital after a news report on the BBC's Somali Service carried the warning from the Australian government.

It told potential passengers that the journey was life-threatening and warned that, when the Australian navy intercepted illegal boats, those caught were detained and risked losing their money.

Ship due to sail

A number of Somalis had paid $2,000 each for a place on a ship that was due to sail today. After the report, many were demanding their money back.

The ship, which has had its name painted out and is not sailing under any flag, was hired on the understanding that it would be used to transport animals for the Gulf meat trade.

Powerful figures in Mogadishu are reported to be behind the illegal immigrant scheme.

In the past, many people who have left Somalia and attempted to reach Yemen in unsuitable craft have drowned.