Ukrainian forces free Turkish cargo ship seized by crew members

Ukrainian security forces have released a Turkish-owned cargo ship that was taken over Sunday by two crew members in the Black Sea, authorities said Monday.

The ship transporting metal from Ukraine's southern Black Sea port of Nikolayev to Jordan was captured in the territorial waters of Ukraine following a mutiny, the Security Service of Ukraine said in a statement.

"Two crew members have initiated a fight on board and inflicted knife wounds to their four colleagues. Three of those wounded are in moderately grave condition," the statement said.

"Then, the attackers left the ship without electricity and took five people hostage. Some other crew members barricaded themselves to hide from the attackers," it added.

The Ukrainian authorities have released the hostages and detained the attackers after storming the captured vessel by force, said the statement.

The wounded sailors, all citizens of Turkey, have received medical assistance.

The Security Service of Ukraine has given no details on the demands of the attackers. A criminal investigation into the incident is underway.

Source : XINHUA