LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (MNA/ITALPRESS) – A vessel from the Gaza-bound Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) was reportedly attacked by armed drones in international waters near Malta shortly after midnight on Friday, according to statements released by the humanitarian group. The ship, Conscience, which had recently departed Malta under media blackout, was hit at approximately 00:23 local time, sustaining significant damage to its hull and catching fire.

The FFC, a coalition of international activists opposing Israel’s blockade of Gaza, claimed the drone strike targeted the ship’s generator, leaving it powerless and at risk of sinking with 30 human rights activists on board. Video footage shared by the coalition on social media shows a fire blazing on the ship and smoke billowing into the night sky, with the sound of two loud explosions audible in the background.

In a statement, the coalition alleged the attack was carried out by an Israeli military drone and described the strike as a violation of international law. “The front of the vessel was targeted twice, resulting in a fire and a breach in the hull,” the FFC said. “This was a deliberate targeting of a civilian humanitarian aid ship”. A distress signal was reportedly sent out immediately after the attack. According to the FFC, southern Cyprus responded by dispatching a vessel, though it lacked the necessary equipment to provide power support. The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Rome also advised that a tugboat was sent to the scene, though confirmation was difficult as the vessel’s communications had been compromised by the strike. The coalition accused Malta of failing to respond to the distress call, despite the ship being located within Malta’s designated Search and Rescue (SAR) area.

“Under international maritime law, Malta is obliged to act and ensure the safety of a civilian ship in distress within its proximity,” the group stated. However, sources close to the Maltese government disputed that claim. Transport Malta had dispatched a tugboat and that an Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) patrol vessel was also present to assist in extinguishing the fire. The sources added that none of the aid workers aboard accepted the Maltese offer to come ashore. Marine tracking data showed the Conscience anchored near Hurd’s Bank, just east of Malta, an area often used for ship bunkering. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which includes volunteers from over 21 countries, was attempting to deliver aid to Gaza in defiance of Israel’s longstanding naval blockade, in place since 2007.

The coalition called on the Maltese government to fulfil its maritime obligations and demanded international condemnation of what it termed “a direct attack on a humanitarian mission”. The group also called for a global end to political, financial, and military support for Israel’s blockade of Gaza, and urged civil society to pressure Maltese embassies worldwide to act to protect those onboard.

Official statement from Maltese authorities

The Maltese government confirmed it had received a distress call at 12:20 a.m. of Friday from a vessel in distress at sea. The ship reported a fire on board and requested urgent assistance, stating there were 12 crew members and 4 civilian passengers on board. No casualties were reported. Within a minute of the alert, a firefighting-equipped tugboat located approximately one nautical mile away contacted Malta Vessel Traffic Services and immediately responded to the emergency. The tugboat reached the vessel shortly thereafter and began firefighting operations, bringing the blaze under control by 1:28 a.m. A patrol vessel from the Armed Forces of Malta was also dispatched to the scene to provide additional support. By 2:13 a.m., all crew and passengers were confirmed safe. However, they declined to be evacuated and remained on board while authorities assisted with interior firefighting operations. The situation was fully stabilized by 3:45 a.m., with the vessel and its crew declared secure. The ship continues to be monitored by Maltese authorities.

– photo Freedom Flotilla Coalition –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews