Freed Italian tug crew, injured journalist on way to Malta from Libya

The crew of an Italian tug boat that was held hostage for a month by armed men loyal to Col. Gaddafi are on their way to Malta after being freed late last night.

23 April 2011, 12:00am
by Karl Stagno-Navarra

The 11-man crew of the tug ‘Asso Ventidue’ were said to be in good health as they left Tripoli last night and were visited by doctors on the high seas dispatched from the Italian naval vessel ‘Bettica’ that is part of the naval blockade by Nato off Libya.

Meanwhile, injured US journalist Guy Martin who was hit by shrapnel in the attack that killed photo-journalists Tim Hetherington and Chris Hondros in Misurata, is to be brought to Malta late tonight where he is expected to be given treatment at Mater Dei Hospital.