Man dies in Victorian detention centre

A man has died while being held at an immigration detention centre.

Immigration Minister Scott Morrison released a statement saying the man was found unconscious by staff at the Maribyrnong centre in Melbourne on Thursday evening.

He died a short time later.

"The man was not an illegal maritime arrival," the statement said.

"He had been detained in January after overstaying his visa."

Victoria Police are investigating the death.

The government expressed its sympathy over the "tragic" death and said more information will be provided as details are confirmed and the man's relatives are contacted.