The ship "Galata Seaways" departed on Wednesday from the port of Topcular near Istanbul in Turkey and was on its way to Sète near Montpellier in southern France. The crew (16 men) and passengers (3) entrenched themselves in the cabins and on the bridge, respectively.
The migrants were armed with two knives and a box cutter. Three of the men are being investigated for possession of weapons because of their knives. Four of the migrants, including the two women, were hospitalized.