On Monday, the humanitarian rescue ship Sea-Watch 5, operated by the German nongovernmental organization Sea-Watch, was fired upon by armed vessels linked to the Libyan coast guard shortly after it rescued approximately 90 migrants from an overcrowded wooden boat in the Mediterranean Sea. The incident occurred about 27 miles off the coast of Libya around 0800 GMT. According to Sea-Watch, the approaching vessels opened fire, initially with a single shot and followed by a rapid discharge of 10 to 15 rounds, demanding that the rescue ship halt its operations.
The Libyan government, based in Tripoli, did not respond to requests for comments regarding the incident. Libya is widely recognized as one of the primary departure points for migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea from North Africa, a perilous journey that has resulted in thousands of fatalities.
At the time of the attack, approximately 30 crew members and the rescued migrants were aboard the Sea-Watch 5, and they expressed fear for their safety. The crew issued a mayday call and alerted both Italian and German authorities about the incident, subsequently sending another distress call as the two Libyan coast guard vessels were reported to be in the vicinity.
An official from the Italian coast guard acknowledged that they had received reports regarding the incident. Roberto D’Arrigo, a spokesperson, described the situation as a security incident and noted that relevant bodies and authorities were informed, including Germany as the ship's flag state. The attack took place within a search-and-rescue area, managed by Libyan authorities, designated for coordinating responses to individuals in distress at sea.
Following the attack, the Sea-Watch 5 was eventually escorted out of the area and redirected north toward the Italian port of Brindisi, which was designated as a haven for individuals in need of safety, as confirmed by the coast guard. Julia Winkler, a spokesperson for Sea-Watch, articulated concerns for the well-being of those on board and called for European governments to take action to halt what she characterized as an assault by forces supported and legitimized by the EU.
The European Union has established an agreement with the Libyan government aimed at curbing the influx of migrants leaving Libya. Since 2015, the EU has provided Libya with 700 million euros (approximately $824 million), much of which has been used to bolster border security and management.
Sea-Watch confirmed that all individuals from the rescued boat were successfully brought to safety. The organization emphasized that tensions have long been a feature of rescue operations in the Mediterranean, highlighting similar occurrences from previous years. For instance, in August 2022, the humanitarian group SOS Mediterranee reported that Libya's coast guard fired upon its vessel, the Ocean Viking, while searching for a distressed migrant boat in the Mediterranean.
Italy's immigration policies in the central Mediterranean have historically depended on collaboration with Libya to limit migrant departures, which includes providing training, support, and equipment to the Libyan coast guard for intercepting migrant boats. Critics, including various humanitarian organizations, argue that this partnership has exacerbated tensions between rescue missions and increased risks for migrants who, when intercepted, often face abuse upon being returned to Libya. This dynamic has also led to confrontations between Libyan patrols and NGO vessels operating in the region.
