A migrant rescue boat came under machine gunfire with “hundreds” of rounds fired as the crew tried to help the migrant vessel.
The attack took place in the Mediterranean from a Libyan coastguard ship around 40 miles off the Libyan coast outside of territorial waters.
The Ocean Viking ship which was illegally attacked had already rescued 87 migrants from the two sinking boats.
Armed Libyan officers opened fire with no warnings even though they were aware of the ships mission as the rescue ship moved towards a third distress call.
The communications officer of the Ocean Viking Lucille Guenier said, “We are used to this, we know they will intimidate us. I realised that now they’re pointing arms at us – we didn’t have a moment to do anything and they opened fire, shooting at the bridge.”
“It is unacceptable that the EU funds and collaborates with extremely violent partners who attack humanitarian workers and survivors, directly threatening their lives.”
Ayla, Deputy SAR Coordinator from the bridge where dozens of bullets were found after the Libyan CG attack. pic.twitter.com/67bHoamlDn— SOS MEDITERRANEE (@SOSMedIntl) August 26, 2025
Angelo Selim, who was the search and rescue coordinator on board said, “In the beginning, I didn’t understand the noise of the shots.
“But when the first windows exploded on my head, we all got on the floor.”
SOS Mediterranee said in a statement, “This incident was not only an outrageous and unacceptable act.
“This is far from isolated: the Libyan Coast Guard has a long history of reckless behaviour that endangers people at sea, flagrantly violates human rights and shows total disregard for international maritime law.”
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