Gunmen hijack bus in Italy

Three gunmen hijacked a regional bus travelling in northern Italy today and set it on fire before running into a police blockade, officials and news reports said.

The passengers were freed and were safe, and one police officer was injured.

The bus was travelling toward Novara, a town about 60 miles north-east of Turin.

A police official in Novara confirmed that the gunmen had taken over the bus, but said he could not provide more information because the operation was continuing.

ANSA said the gunmen forced the driver to turn the bus around.

An off-duty police officer who was on board tried to intervene and was stabbed, but was not in serious condition, ANSA said.

The bus ground to a halt at a police blockade.

After forcing the passengers off, the gunmen set the bus on fire.

One of the gunmen was apprehended, and two others were being sought, ANSA said.