In a dramatic action, special forces descended from helicopters onto the ship and freed the 22 crew on board the “Galeta Seaways”.
Italian police special forces have regained control of a hijacked Turkish freighter in a spectacular operation.
Armed passengers seized the vessel in the Gulf of Naples, Defense Minister Guido Crosetto told Italian television. When the minister spoke, the operation was still ongoing, he said.
The freighter was on its way to France, the captain managed to sound the alarm before being arrested by the pirates.
In a dramatic action, special forces descended from helicopters on the ship and freed the 22 crew members on board the “Galeta Seaways”, who were in the hands of 15 pirates. Several of them were armed with sharp objects.
Italian customs patrol boats blocked the Turkish vessel as special forces boarded. Crosetto said some of the stowaways remained uncaught.
Released video footage shows the Marines protecting the large cargo ship.