The NGO SOS Méditerranée said Monday that its rescue ship came under fire from the Libyan coastguard while searching for a migrant boat in distress off the Libyan coast. The incident, which occurred Sunday about 40 nautical miles north of Libya, lasted nearly 20 minutes and caused significant material damage, with no injuries.
The Norwegian-flagged humanitarian vessel Ocean Viking, chartered by SOS Méditerranée in partnership with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, had just rescued 87 people, many of them from war-torn Sudan. As it continued its search for a third boat in distress, it was approached in international waters by a Libyan speedboat, said Angelo Selim, the rescue coordinator on board.
"At first, I didn't understand the noise, and then the windows exploded above my head," he told The Associated Press. He said some of the gunfire came from automatic weapons. The crew immediately ordered migrants and non-essential personnel to take refuge in the security room, while he and the captain remained on the bridge.
In a video released by SOS Méditerranée, armed men can be seen aiming at the ship, while gunshots can be heard. Broken windows and damaged equipment are also visible. The NGO claims that the coastguard threatened over the radio in Arabic: "If you don't leave the area, we will come and kill you all."
The organization denounced "a scandalous and unacceptable act" which, it said, is part of a long history of dangerous behavior and violations of international maritime law by the Libyan coastguard. The boat used in the attack was donated in 2023 by Italy as part of the European Border Management Support Program, it said.
SOS Méditerranée sent out a distress call and requested protection from an Italian naval vessel stationed nearby, but received no response. The European border agency Frontex called the incident "deeply worrying" and urged a swift and thorough investigation.
The Ocean Viking was heading for Italy on Monday with the 87 survivors already on board, while the organization had not heard from the migrants it was initially looking for. "We demand a full investigation and that those responsible for this life-threatening attack be brought to justice," said Soazic Dupuy, director of operations for SOS Méditerranée.
