A new escalation of tensions in the central Mediterranean has reignited concerns over the safety of humanitarian rescue operations at sea. German NGO Sea-Watch stated that its rescue vessel, the Sea-Watch 5, came under fire and faced threats from units linked to the Libyan coast guard after rescuing around 90 migrants in distress in international waters off the Libyan coast.
According to testimonies from the crew, the incident occurred while the humanitarian ship was heading toward Italy following the rescue mission. Armed boats identified as belonging to Libyan forces reportedly approached the vessel at high speed before firing shots near the humanitarian ship. Members of the NGO also said they received threats of boarding and orders aimed at forcing the rescued migrants to return to Libya.
The confrontation took place in international waters, a key element of the case since humanitarian organizations regularly emphasize that rescue operations conducted in these areas are protected under international maritime law. The rescued individuals on board were reportedly mainly from Bangladesh and Egypt, according to information released by Sea-Watch.
The incident once again highlights the controversial role of the Libyan coast guard in managing migration flows across the Mediterranean. For several years, the European Union and some member states, particularly Italy, have financed, equipped, and trained Libyan units in an effort to curb migrant departures toward Europe. However, several NGOs and human rights organizations continue to denounce what they describe as violent practices and repeated violations of international law and migrants’ fundamental rights after interceptions at sea and forced returns to Libya.
The event comes less than a year after another reported attack involving the Ocean Viking, the humanitarian vessel operated by SOS Méditerranée, which was also allegedly targeted by gunfire from Libyan coast guards in international waters. That episode sparked strong reactions across Europe and reignited debates over migration cooperation between Brussels and Tripoli.
Following this latest confrontation, several humanitarian organizations are urging European authorities to reassess their support for Libyan maritime forces. They argue that such incidents create a permanent climate of danger for civilian crews involved in rescuing migrants along what remains the world’s deadliest migration route.
