Ship hijacked by migrants off Libya arrives in Malta
Maltese military escort the vessel, as Italian interior minister says asylum seekers ‘will only see Italy through a telescope’

Maltese armed forces have taken control of a merchant ship that was reportedly hijacked by migrants rescued off the coast of Libya.
Yesterday, Italian and Maltese media reported that Elhiblu 1, a commercial tanker registered in Turkey, had rescued around 120 people in Libyan waters. However, the migrants are then believed to have hijacked the ship after they learned that they were being returned to Libya rather than brought to the European mainland, The Guardian reports.
Italian interior minister Matteo Salvini, renowned for his hard-line stance against illegal migration, immediately pledged to block any attempts by the boat to dock in Italy, alleging that the Elhiblu 1 had “suddenly changed course” around six nautical miles (11.1km) from the Libyan coast and begun heading north.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Salvini used his Facebook page to post a strongly worded rebuke to the migrants, saying: “These are not migrants in distress, they are pirates. They will only see Italy through a telescope.”
The Guardian adds that Salvini told one reporter sarcastically: “Poor castaways, who hijack a merchant ship that saved them because they want to decide the route of the cruise.”
The BBC reports that the Maltese Armed Forces said in a statement that they had been in communication with the captain, who was not in control of the vessel, and was being forced to head for Malta.
According to local paper MaltaToday, the tanker has now docked at Boiler Wharf in Valletta, the country’s capital, and 108 people have been taken off the ship, including the alleged hijackers. “Four men, believed to have been behind the ship's takeover, have been arrested. They were seen handcuffed and escorted away in a police van.”
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
In a Twitter post, Doctors Without Borders described the situation as “desperate and dangerous”, saying it highlighted “the broken system at sea and the despair of vulnerable people”.
-
5 dramatically dysfunctional cartoons about the government shutdown
Cartoons Artists take on life without government, foam finger pointing, and more
-
October 4 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Saturday's political cartoons include the Einstein files, defunding the police, and an odd tribute to Jane Goodall
-
Mustardy beans and hazelnuts recipe
The Week Recommends Nod to French classic offers zingy, fresh taste
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of Taiwan
In the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdown
IN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American cities
Under the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctions
The Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
Russia's 'shared values' visa
The Explainer The 'anti-woke' scheme is aimed at foreigners who reject LGBTQ+ rights and 'non-traditional' values – and who can provide Moscow with online clout and skilled workers
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?
today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designation
The Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago