BRISBANE, Australia (AFP) - Nine people have been arrested over a riot in an Aboriginal community in northern Australia triggered by anger at the death of a local man in police custody, but a top official has warned that violence could flare up again in coming days.

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Queensland state police minister Judy Spence said she expected those arrested to face charges of destroying public property and riotous behaviour, but would not say if they could face charges of attempted murder.

A crowd of around 300 Aboriginals rioted on outlying Palm Island on Friday, burning the community's police station and courthouse in anger over the death of popular Aborigine Cameron Doomadgee, 36.

The riot was triggered by the release of Doomadgee's autopsy results which showed he had broken ribs and died from a punctured lung in the police watchhouse earlier this month.

Police said Doomadgee's injuries were the result of a scuffle with police when he was being taken from a prison van and had punched an officer in the head.

It is the second major riot in an Aboriginal community this year, following one in February in Sydney's Aboriginal suburb of Redfern, also triggered by the controversial death of a young Aboriginal.

Using emergency powers, police late Friday sent in around 80 heavily armed officers to Palm Island, taking control of the airport, school and hospital while government officials, teachers and some local police were evacuated.

Reports from the island Saturday said calm had returned.

Petrol bombs were thrown at police barracks and other buildings during the unrest and Spence said there was concern among police about the potential for more "flare-ups".

"They consider the next 24 to 36 hours on Palm Island as very important," Spence said.

Queensland's state police commissioner Bob Atkinson said there were indications the violence was planned.

"We believe that the water was turned off so there was an inability to fight the fire and as well there were road blocks put across the road to the airport, including, I understand, a stolen council truck," Atkinson told ABC radio.

Spence said the nine arrested were being held in the neighbouring mainland city of Townsville and would appear in a court there on Monday.

State premier Peter Beattie assured Palm Island residents that the state's Crime and Misconduct Commission would fully investigate the death but criticised Aboriginal leaders for giving poor leadership.

Aboriginal leaders Saturday demanded they be consulted about any investigation into Doomadgee's death.

"If criminal charges can be supported then the people responsible must be charged, same as any other member of the community," Aboriginal leader Sam Watson said.

Palm Island has had a troubled history, earning the dubious title of the most violent place on earth outside a combat zone in the 1998 Guinness Book of Records.

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