Greece arrests ship carrying 700 tons of explosives

A cargo ship carrying, boarded by Greek special forces, was found to be carrying 700 tons of explosives

The Baltic Sky was escorted by coast guard vessels to the tiny port of Platiyali, 145 miles north-west of Athens, for a "detailed search," according to a statement from the Merchant Marine ministry.

The statement said the vessel, with a crew of five Ukrainians and two from Azerbaijan, was boarded by special forces from the coast guard in Greek territorial waters following an intelligence tip-off. No other details about the cargo or the ship's destination were immediately available.

Officials planned Monday to continue with investigations on whether the shipment is legal. Concerns about terrorism have escalated following recent bombings in Saudi Arabia and Morocco.

The ship is registered to Alpha Shipping Inc. based in the Marshall Islands. It was flying the flag of Comoros, a nation off the south-east coast of Africa, is used by shipping companies as a flag of convenience to avoid taxes and other regulations.