SOS Méditerranée denounces growing Libyan threats against rescue ships

The NGO SOS Méditerranée is warning of a rise in violent incidents in the central Mediterranean, attributed to Libyan armed groups, while the number of deaths on this migration route has jumped by 111% in the first four months of the year.

The waters of the central Mediterranean have become, according to SOS Méditerranée, an "increasingly hostile" environment for both migrants and those attempting to rescue them. The humanitarian NGO published a report on Monday detailing a series of incidents that occurred in June and July, during which boats "linked to Libyan actors" approached its rescue vessels at high speed or followed them for hours into international waters.

These pursuits have been documented on at least seven occasions. The organization also reports a "significant increase" in unidentified speedboats associated with various Libyan armed groups, observed deliberately ramming boats carrying people in distress or performing life-threatening maneuvers.

This situation echoes an incident the previous year, when SOS Méditerranée accused the Libyan coast guard of attacking its ship, the Ocean Viking, in international waters. More than 100 shots were reportedly fired, endangering the crew and the 87 migrants rescued on board. Legal proceedings have since been initiated in Italy, France, and Germany, but the NGO laments that "European and national authorities have remained silent" and that "those responsible for the attack have not been identified." It is calling for "a full and independent investigation."

SOS Méditerranée points to the responsibility of the European Union in this deterioration, believing that the situation is reinforced by "the extension of European cooperation with Libyan actors in matters of migration deterrence".

Figures published this month by the United Nations' International Organization for Migration (IOM) confirm the worsening situation. In the first four months of the year, 821 people died or went missing in the central Mediterranean, a 111% increase compared to the same period in 2025. At the same time, the number of migrants attempting the crossing fell by 46%, to 8,577 arrivals, due to stricter European migration policies. Fewer crossings, but a sharp rise in mortality: this paradox reflects the increased danger of the route for those who nevertheless undertake it.