Libyan Coast Guard Opens Fire on European Rescue Ship in the Mediterranean

SOS Mediterranee reports terrifying attack on Ocean Viking while rescuing migrants fleeing war and violence

A European humanitarian mission in the Mediterranean Sea turned into a terrifying ordeal when Libya’s coast guard opened fire on the Ocean Viking, a rescue vessel chartered by non-profit SOS Mediterranee in partnership with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

The confrontation, described as one of the most violent attacks yet against a European rescue ship, took place on Sunday around 40 nautical miles (74 km) north of Libya’s coast. According to SOS Mediterranee, gunfire from a Libyan patrol boat lasted nearly 20 minutes, shattering windows and damaging equipment aboard the Ocean Viking. Fortunately, no lives were lost.

Shots Fired During Rescue Mission

The Ocean Viking had just rescued 87 people, including many fleeing conflict in Sudan, from two boats and was en route to Italy when its crew began searching for a third vessel in distress. It was then that the Libyan patrol boat—gifted by Italy in 2023 under the EU’s border management program—intercepted them.

“When they were very close, they started shooting for 15 to 20 minutes,” recalled Angelo Selim, the ship’s search-and-rescue coordinator. “At first I didn’t realize it was gunfire. Then the windows exploded above my head—we all hit the floor.”

Selim said some rounds came from automatic weapons. As chaos unfolded, refugees and non-essential crew members were rushed into a reinforced safety room, while Selim and the captain stayed on the bridge.

According to Selim, the coast guard then issued chilling threats over radio in Arabic:
“If you don’t leave the area, we will come and kill you all.”

Evidence of Aggression

SOS Mediterranee released videos and photographs showing men pointing weapons directly at the Ocean Viking and gunfire echoing in the background. Images also revealed shattered glass and other visible damage on the vessel.

“This was not only an outrageous and unacceptable act,” the NGO said in a statement. “It is part of a broader pattern. The Libyan Coast Guard has a long record of reckless behavior, putting lives at risk, violating human rights, and showing no respect for international maritime law.”

Europe’s Complicated Role

The Libyan coast guard receives funding, equipment, and training from the European Union, sparking renewed scrutiny over Europe’s controversial cooperation with Libya on migration control.

Frontex, the EU’s border protection agency, labeled the attack “deeply concerning” and urged an urgent investigation. However, Italian authorities, who gifted the patrol boat used in this incident, have yet to issue a formal response.

Italy’s right-wing government under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has taken a hardline stance on migration, introducing stricter penalties for human smugglers and vowing to block refugee crossings from North Africa.

The Human Cost of Migration

This violent episode underscores the perils facing refugees and migrants attempting the treacherous Mediterranean journey. Rights groups and UN agencies have long documented systematic abuses in Libya, including torture, rape, and extortion of migrants held in detention centers.

The crisis is ongoing. Just months ago, in February, Libyan authorities uncovered nearly 50 bodies in two mass graves in the country’s southeastern desert, a grim reminder of the desperate—and often deadly—attempts by migrants to reach Europe.

For the Ocean Viking and the people on board, this attack is yet another warning of how humanitarian missions have increasingly become battlegrounds in the fight over migration and international responsibility.

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