Ferry Hijacked Near Istanbul, Turkey

 　　A group apparently¹ linked to a militant² Kurdish organization has hijacked³ a passenger ferry boat just southwest of the Turkish city of Istanbul.

　　Turkish Transport Minister Binali Yildirim said Friday as many as five hijackers had taken control of the boat and were holding passengers hostage.

　　Since the ferry was taken over earlier Friday there have been conflicting reports on the exact number of assailants and passengers.

　　At least one of the hijackers claims to have a bomb.

　　Turkish media reported that the ferry Kartepe was traveling on the Sea of Marmara toward Izmit, when the hijacker⁴ seized control of the vessel⁵.

　　The Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, in recent months has increased its attacks against Turkish security forces with suicide bombings. The group claims to be fighting for increased civil and political rights in Turkey.

　　The United States and Turkey have labeled the PKK a terrorist organization.

　　Turkey's government has cracked down on anyone suspected of belonging to or collaborating⁶ with the PKK, saying the group is a growing threat. The military has launched a series of attacks against PKK bases along the country's border with Iraq.

　　Turkish coast guard vessels⁷ were following the hijacked ferry.

　　Izmit's mayor, Ibrahim Karaosmanoglu, had told local NTV that only one assailant was involved.

　　Details about the incident are still coming in. News reports say that between 17 to 23 people were on board the vessel.

　　More than 40,000 have died since the PKK took up arms against the Turkish government in 1984.

　　Attempts earlier this year to resolve the conflict failed.

1 apparently   

adv.显然地；表面上，似乎

参考例句：

• An apparently blind alley leads suddenly into an open space.山穷水尽，豁然开朗。
• He was apparently much surprised at the news.他对那个消息显然感到十分惊异。

2 militant   

adj.激进的，好斗的；n.激进分子，斗士

参考例句：

• Some militant leaders want to merge with white radicals.一些好斗的领导人要和白人中的激进派联合。
• He is a militant in the movement.他在那次运动中是个激进人物。

3 hijacked   

劫持( hijack的过去式和过去分词 )； 绑架； 拦路抢劫； 操纵（会议等，以推销自己的意图）

参考例句：

• The plane was hijacked by two armed men on a flight from London to Rome. 飞机在从伦敦飞往罗马途中遭到两名持械男子劫持。
• The plane was hijacked soon after it took off. 那架飞机起飞后不久被劫持了。

4 hijacker   

n.拦路抢劫者

参考例句：

• We needed a credibIe hijacker who knew the pIane. 也需要一个懂飞机的让人相信的劫机犯。
• I've never heard of a hijacker Ietting passengers deboard before. 以前也从没听说过有劫机犯让乘客离开。

5 vessel   

n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管

参考例句：

• The vessel is fully loaded with cargo for Shanghai.这艘船满载货物驶往上海。
• You should put the water into a vessel.你应该把水装入容器中。

6 collaborating   

合作( collaborate的现在分词 )； 勾结叛国

参考例句：

• Joe is collaborating on the work with a friend. 乔正与一位朋友合作做那件工作。
• He was not only learning from but also collaborating with Joseph Thomson. 他不仅是在跟约瑟福？汤姆逊学习，而且也是在和他合作。

7 vessels   

n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人

参考例句：

• The river is navigable by vessels of up to 90 tons. 90 吨以下的船只可以从这条河通过。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• All modern vessels of any size are fitted with radar installations. 所有现代化船只都有雷达装置。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》