(Times of Malta) Migrants on board a government-chartered tourist boat off Malta occupied the kitchen, grabbed knives and threatened to blow up a gas cylinder and burn rubbish, Prime Minister Robert Abela said on Sunday.
“They gave us half an hour to act or they would kidnap the crew,” he said.
The migrants had been left out at sea for more than a month, sparking protests from humanitarian organisations.
Describing the dramatic situation, he told a One News interviewer that up until Saturday morning, the government had not planned to bring in the migrants being held offshore on board four tourist boats.
But he said he had to take a decision after the crew (on board Europa II) called for help, even calling him personally pleading, “Please save us.”
