09 Jun 2023 | 09:03 PM UTC
Italy: Security forces board Cargo ship near Naples, June 9 after suspected armed migrants discovered onboard
Italian security forces board cargo ship in Tyrrhenian Sea near Naples, June 9 after suspected armed migrants found onboard; vessel safe.
Event
Italian Special Forces boarded the Turkish flagship Galata Seaways after at least 15 suspected armed migrants who were stowaways were discovered while sailing from Turkiye, to the port of Sete, France, on the morning of June 9. Reports indicate the vessel and its crew of 22 people alerted Turkish maritime authorities after being threatened with what appeared to be sharp objects. The ship sailed toward Naples, Italy, where Italian Special Forces boarded and secured the vessel. It is unclear how the unidentified individuals got onboard the ship.
Reports as of the evening of June 9 indicate the crew has been removed from the vessel and is under the control of law enforcement as they continue to locate the migrants onboard.
A heightened naval presence is likely near the incident as authorities continue the investigation.
