Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto has announced that special forces operators have stormed the Turkish Ro-Ro cargo vessel “Galata Seaways,” which was attacked by a group of stowaways in the Mediterranean Sea.
The vessel was heading from Topcular, Turkey, to Sete, France, when a group of about a 15 stowaways, some of which were armed with bladed weapons, attempted to hijack the vessel after being discovered by the crew. The stowaways were not able to access the bridge and the captain of the Galata Seaways sent out a distress signal as he directed the vessel towards Naples, Italy.
The Galata Seaways was intercepted by the Italian Guardia di Finanza patrol boat “Sanna” and Coast Guard vessel “Bruno Gregoretti.” Crosetto said that operators were inserted onto the vessel via helicopters and are currently working to secure the vessel, as some of the suspects are believed to have barricaded themselves inside parts the ship. All 22 crew have been reported safe and without injury.
