A cargo ship heading from Turkey to Libya was asked to divert its course to rescue nearly 100 migrants in distress, which it did, before continuing on its course. But when the migrants realized Wednesday they were headed back to lawless Libya, which they had just left, some revolted, commandeering the ship and forcing it to head to Europe. Five migrants were arrested after Maltese special forces boarded the ship Thursday, then escorted it to port. The ship's captain said Maltese authorities had detained and strip-searched him after the ship docked in the capital, Valletta. But the captain's perhaps understandable ire notwithstanding, all boat and ship crews are legally required to rescue anyone in distress at sea.

Source: The North Africa Journal March 30, 2019 09:56 UTC