(CNN) A shock Australian election result has sparked a wave of suicide attempts among refugees held in the Manus Island detention center off Papua New Guinea, activists say. Detainee and activist Behrouz Boochani told CNN at least nine people have attempted suicide since the election results were confirmed on Saturday, with three now in hospital. An unexpected election win for the incumbent Liberal National coalition dashed refugees' hopes that a new Labor government would change their circumstances. Seven cases had occurred on Manus Island and two in Port Moresby on the mainland, but so far no one has died, said Boochani. Chief Inspector David Yapu, Manus Island Provincial Police Commander, reported different figures, telling CNN that two refugees in Manus attempted to take their own lives over the weekend, one from Iran and one from Iraq.

Source: CNN May 21, 2019 18:44 UTC