Libyan Coast Guard fires on European rescue vessel causing EU to worry
A Libyan coast guard vessel donated by Italy and funded by the EU fired “hundreds of bullets” at a rescue ship in international waters. The European Commission has called the incident “a worrying development.” That said, it continues to support Libyan authorities under the EU’s migration cooperation deal.
Armed violence against humanitarian workers
The Ocean Viking, operated by SOS Mediterranee, had just rescued a group of migrants when a patrol boat approached and opened fire. The NGO reported that two men from the Libyan vessel shot “hundreds of bullets” at the crew over a 10-minute span. The attack shattered windows, damaged rescue equipment, and struck the bridge of the ship at head height.
Despite the Ocean Viking’s distress call, no nearby vessels came to its aid. The ship was operating 40 nautical miles off the coast of Libya i.e. well within international waters. The Libyan coast guard had no authority to force the ship to leave. However, the SOS Mediterranee said the crew complied due to the coast guard’s “track record of dangerous behaviour.”