Essex police has rescued the 71,000-tonne Italian vessel, Grande Tema, on December 21 in Thames, after stowaways allegedly threatened its crew. Namely, officials detained four stowaways, while no injuries were reported.
Essex police detained four stowaways under the Immigration Act after the vessel was boarded and taken to the port of Tilbury. Namely, Grande Tema, was off Margate when the men reportedly assaulted the crew.
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Officers boarded the vessel, operated by Grimaldi Lines, and detained four stowaways. No injuries were reported.
Speaking about the incident, Paul Kyprianou, a spokesman for Grimaldi Lines, told local media that the crew of the ship had locate the stowaways four days before the incident, and had put them in a cabin. However, the four men got some iron bars and started threatening the crew, urging the master to approach the shore.
The crew managed to lock themselves in the bridge and were all safe, while the ship got eventually under control. Sources say that the stowaways boarded the ship in Lagos, or during stops on the west African coast.
