Castro visits hijack stand-off

The Cuban government was tonight threatening to storm a hijacked ferry to free hostages being held by armed men who tried to force the crew to sail it too Florida.

The 45ft ferry with 50 people on board got into international waters before turning back to Cuba for more fuel.

Cuban leader Fidel Castro was seen arriving at the scene of the hijacking drama at Mariel port west of Havana shortly before the government announced on state television that the boat and the hostages were still held hostage.

“Force will be used if the hostages’ situation becomes critical,” warned a statement .

When the ferry was still in the middle of the Florida Straits, FBI agents had waited nearby on a US Coast Guard cutter as Cuban authorities tried to persuade the hijackers to give up.

The men had threatened to throw some of the passengers overboard if they did not get their way.