LIBYA — Migrants have hijacked a merchant ship which rescued them off the coast of Libya and it is now heading toward Malta, Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini and Maltese authorities said on Wednesday. <br />According the FleetMon, the Palau-flagged tanker Elhiblu 1 was traveling from Turkey to Tripoli on Tuesday when it was diverted to a distressed migrant boat off the Libyan coast. <br />According to DW News, the tanker rescued the migrants and resumed sailing toward Tripoli. <br />According to Salvini, when the ship was six nautical miles from port, it changed course toward Malta. <br />According to Maltese authorities, the vessel is believed to be carrying 108 migrants made up of 77 men and 31 women. <br />Maltese authorities confirmed the ship had been hijacked and said Maltese authorities were monitoring its progress and would not allow the vessel to dock in Malta. <br />Malta Today reports that a spokesperson for the Maltese armed forces said attempts to contact the ship's captain had been unsuccessful.
