LONDON: Seven suspects were detained on board a tanker in the English Channel after they threw insults at the crew, and the operation has concluded, Isle of Wight radio reported.

“Isle of Wight Radio understands seven suspects have been detained and the operation has been concluded,” the station said.

British police said the crew of the Nave Andromeda had been subjected to verbal threats from stowaways and that they were working with coastguard and border forces to resolve the incident.

Earlier, Sky News said up to seven stowaways had been discovered on board, and broadcast live images of the ship. The BBC cited lawyers for the ship’s owners as saying it was “100pc not a hijacking”.

The local police force said in a statement: “We are aware and dealing with an ongoing incident on board a vessel which is situated south of the Isle of Wight”.

Published in Dawn, October 26th, 2020