Once the migrants have been transhipped, the vessel has fled, returning to the African coast.
Following the communication of the merchant ship, a Euro naval vessel was alerted, patrolling the areas assigned to the Mare Nostrum operation, which intercepted the vessel.
At this point, the runaway vessel, in accordance with the directives of the naval operations center and in close coordination with the district anti-mafia management of the Catania public prosecutor's office, was stopped. The "law enforcement" put in place by the frigate, also with the use of warning shots, - warning shots - with the aim of stopping the escape of the boat led to the capture of seven alleged smugglers.
The merchant E. Maersk arrived on Saturday in the port of Catania where he landed the 221 rescued migrants. While, the Euro frigate will arrive in the same port tomorrow.
364 smugglers have been brought to justice since the Mare Nostrum operation began.
Source: Military Navy
