A German humanitarian rescue vessel came under gunfire from Libyan coast guard ships on Monday after pulling approximately 90 migrants from a dangerously overcrowded wooden boat in the Mediterranean Sea, according to the aid organization operating the ship.
The German nonprofit Sea-Watch reported that its vessel, the Sea-Watch 5, was attacked following a rescue mission conducted around 8 a.m. GMT on Monday, roughly 27 miles off Libya’s coastline. According to the organization, the approaching ships “fired live ammunition, first a single shot and then a burst of 10 to 15 rounds, and ordered the ship to stop.”
Officials from Libya’s government in Tripoli have not responded to requests for comment regarding the incident.
Libya’s coastline serves as a primary launching point for migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean from North Africa in small vessels, with thousands perishing during these dangerous voyages.
According to Sea-Watch, approximately 30 crew members and the rescued individuals were on board during the attack and experienced genuine fear for their safety. The crew broadcast a mayday distress signal and notified both Italian and German officials, subsequently issuing a second emergency call when two additional Libyan coast guard vessels appeared in the vicinity.
An Italian coast guard representative confirmed they received notification of the incident. “This appears to be a security incident, for which the relevant bodies and authorities have been informed, including the vessel’s flag state (Germany),” stated spokesperson Roberto D’Arrigo, noting the ship was operating within the search-and-rescue zone under Libyan authority when the confrontation occurred.
The search-and-rescue zone represents the area where local authorities manage responses to maritime emergencies.
Italian coast guard officials later escorted the Sea-Watch 5 away from the area, with the vessel proceeding north toward the Italian port of Brindisi, which authorities designated as a safe harbor.
Sea-Watch spokesperson Julia Winkler expressed concern for passenger and crew safety, urging European governments to take action against what she characterized as an assault by forces “paid and legitimized by them.”
The European Union maintains an arrangement with Libya’s government aimed at decreasing migrant flows through the country. Since 2015, the EU has provided Libya with 700 million euros ($824 million), with much of this funding directed toward strengthening border control measures.
Sea-Watch confirmed that all individuals aboard the migrant vessel were successfully rescued.
The aid organization emphasized that hostile encounters have continued during rescue missions in this region, referencing comparable incidents from recent years.
In August of last year, humanitarian organization SOS Mediterranee reported that Libya’s coast guard opened fire on their vessel, the Ocean Viking, while it searched for a migrant boat in distress in the Mediterranean.
Italy’s migration strategy in the central Mediterranean has historically depended on collaboration with Libya to prevent departures, including providing support, training and equipment to Libyan coast guard forces for intercepting migrant vessels.
Critics, particularly humanitarian organizations, argue this arrangement has intensified conflicts with rescue groups and subjected migrants to mistreatment when intercepted and returned to Libya, while also creating confrontations between Libyan patrol units and NGO ships.
