VIDEO: Migrants Attempted to Hijack Turkish Ship in Italy
Migrants attempted to hijack a vessel in Italy, prompting the country's security forces to conduct a special operation on the Galata Seaways, a ship sailing under the Turkish flag.
According to Reuters, "Italian special forces based in Brindisi have taken control of the Turkish ship, which has a crew of 22 members. The sailors were attacked by 15 migrants who were aboard the vessel as it passed near Naples," stated Italy's Defense Minister Guido Crosetto.
The Italian special forces boarded the cargo ship en route from Turkey to France after individuals armed with knives attempted to hijack it. The asylum seekers, consisting of 13 men and two women, are primarily from Syria, Afghanistan, and Iraq, and allegedly secretly boarded the Galata Seaways cargo ship in hope of reaching Europe.
Following a military operation that lasted nearly seven hours, the special forces regained control of the ship, reportedly arresting the alleged hijackers.