Asylum seekers close to death

A group of asylum seekers who have gone on hunger strike may only have 72 hours to live, doctors warned yesterday.

The three protesters at Rochester prison in Kent are under "close medical supervision", according to the Prison Service, although they are not being force-fed.

The group of three men and 13 other detained immigrants - all from Nigeria, Russia, Romania, Algeria and Somalia -have been on hunger strike for three weeks, claiming they are being treated like criminals while their asylum applications are processed. Supporters say they can languish in jail for up to two years.