Ship carrying Syria weapons arrives in Italy
GIOIA TAURO - A Danish ship carrying hundreds of tons of Syrian chemical weapons steamed into the southern Italian port of Gioia Tauro on Wednesday for a rendezvous with a US cargo vessel that will destroy the toxic material.
Escorted by an Italian coast guard vessel and a helicopter buzzing overhead, the Ark Futura pulled into port as the sun rose and anchored near the MV Cape Ray, which has equipment on board to neutralize the chemicals.
Within an hour of arrival, a forklift truck was at work on the Ark Fortuna's deck beginning to move the containers. Local officials estimate the transfer of chemicals might take as long as 20 hours, depending on sea conditions.
