- Sputnik International
World
Get the latest news from around the world, live coverage, off-beat stories, features and analysis.

Crew of Oil Tanker Stormed by UK Special Forces After Suspected Hijacking Safe, Minister Says

© REUTERS / HUW GIBBYNave Andromeda is seen in Portishead, Britain in this undated picture obtained from social media
Nave Andromeda is seen in Portishead, Britain in this undated picture obtained from social media - Sputnik International
Subscribe
LONDON (Sputnik) – UK Health Minister Matt Hancock said on Monday that the crew of a Liberian-flagged oil tanker that was stormed by special forces on Sunday night after the vessel had been reportedly hijacked by stowaways are safe, and the police investigation is still ongoing.

“Of course, this is a live Police investigation and there is a limit to what I can say, but I can confirm the crew are safe and the operation to secure the vessel concluded successfully,” Hancock told Sky News broadcaster.

The UK Defence Ministry said that seven people were detained after the military took control of the Nave Andromeda oil tanker, which had been stopped by a group of stowaways off the coast of the Isle of Wight, in the English Channel.

oil tanker Nave Andromeda - Sputnik International
UK Coastguard Assists Police With Incident Involving Stowaways On Board Oil Tanker
The statement added that at p[olice request, Defence Minister Ben Wallace and Home Minister Priti Patel had authorised the special force unit to board the ship subject to “suspected hijacking.”

According to the Isle of Wight Radio, the vessel left Lagos in Nigeria on October 6 and was supposed to dock in Southampton on Sunday morning. However, the Hampshire Police received reports that a number of stowaways were on board and had made verbal threats towards the crew.

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала