Migrants have hijacked a bunker tanker that rescued them off Italy.
A total of 108 people were picked up by the 846-dwt Elhiblu 1 (built 2015), after trying to reach Europe from Libya.
But they seized control of the vessel when it became clear they were being taken back to Libya, Italian and Maltese authorities said.
Corriere della Sera and Italian news agencies reported the ship had changed course six miles out from Tripoli and headed for Malta.
“These are not migrants in distress, they are pirates. They will only see Italy through a telescope,” said Italy’s deputy PM Matteo Salvini.
“Poor castaways, who hijack a merchant ship that saved them because they want to decide the route of the cruise,” he told Ansa.
A spokeswoman for Malta’s armed forces was cited as saying that the ship had been hijacked, but it would not be allowed to dock in Malta.
The captain of the Palau-registered vessel had not so far been spoken to by Maltese authorities.
AIS data showed it underway close to Malta on Thursday morning.
Equasis lists the ship as owned by Salah Ali M Elhiblu of Palau.
ICS expresses concern
The ship returning rescued people to Libya may create conflict between the crew and migrants that may not want to return, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) said.
"Since the Italian government changed its previous policy of providing prompt and predicable disembarkation of migrants rescued at sea, the current incident is one which the industry has feared," said ICS Secretary General Guy Platten.
“ICS is carefully watching this new development, which it will seek to raise with the UN International Maritime Organization which is in session in London this week.”
He said the rescuing ship's crew could be outnumbered and overwhelmed by the migrants and authorities should provide assistance.
"The merchant seafarers on board the ship involved in these incidents are civilians," Platten said.
“They can be severely affected by the traumatic situations they have to face, having complied with their legal and humanitarian obligation to come to the rescue of anyone found in distress at sea.”
