Libyan Migrants Detained After Hijacking Ship

Armed military forces in Malta have taken migrants and refugees into custody, after they allegedly hijacked a merchant ship that rescued them off the coast of Libya.

According to reports, the ship – identified as Elihiblu 1 – had rescued more than 100 migrants in Libyan waters yesterday, 28 March. However, the migrants hijacked the ship when it became apparent that the crew was planning to take them back to Libya.

Matteo Salvini, Italy’s far-right interior minister, explained that the ship – which was en-route to Libya’s capital, Tripoli – had suddenly changed course and was instead travelling towards Malta.

After establishing contact with the captain, a Maltese patrol vessel prevented the ship from entering the country’s waters. A special forces unit was then dispatched to board the ship and hand over control of the ship back to the captain.

The ship, crew and all migrants aboard were escorted by armed forces to Boiler Wharf in Senglea, Malta, where the migrants were handed over to the police for further investigations.