Rome, 11 June 2023 (dpa/MIA) - Italian special forces overpowered a group of migrants who hijacked a cargo ship off the coast of Naples.

Several people from a group of 15 who were hiding as stowaways on the ship overpowered the crew on Friday, according to the authorities.

They forced the Galata Seaways ship, which was sailing under a Turkish flag, off its course from Turkey to France.

The Italian navy used helicopters to reach the ship and arrested the attackers, who were armed with knives and carpet knives.

"Everything turned out well," Italy's Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said in a tweet.

The ship was then directed to the port of Naples for further police checks and three of the 15 migrants were charged, reportedly for weapons possession.

Two women, one of whom was pregnant, and two men were taken to hospitals, ANSA news agency reported, citing the Naples health department.

The other migrants, who told police they were from Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq, were taken to a refugee reception centre.

On Saturday evening, the Galata Seaways then left Italy and returned to its course for Sète in southern France.

Photo: MIA archive