A patrol boat belonging to the so-called Libyan coast guard fired live ammunition at the rescue ship Sea-Watch 5. The attack took place shortly after the Sea-Watch 5 crew had rescued 66 people in distress at sea. This is the second time in a short period that the so-called Libyan coastguard has fired on civil sea rescuers. Sea-Watch is demanding immediate investigations and consequences from Italy and the European Union.
The attack took place on the night of September 26. While the crew of the Sea-Watch 5 was busy with the rescue operation, the Libyan patrol boat Ubari 660 Corrubia Class had already demanded via radio that the Sea-Watch 5 turn north. As this would have meant aborting the rescue, the crew of the rescue ship did not follow the demands of the Libyan militia. The militia then approached the rescue ship and eventually fired live ammunition at it. The crew and those rescued were unharmed.
Even during the rescue, there was an incident involving suspected Libyan militias: when the Sea-Watch crew initiated the rescue, they noticed two men wearing balaclavas, who ultimately refused assistance and drove away. It can be assumed that these were Libyan militias affiliated with the Libyan state. Just recently, the NGO Mediterranea Saving Humans proved for the first time that militias directly linked to the Libyan state and the detention camps it operates are behind this phenomenon.
In recent years, human trafficking involving refugees has become a lucrative business in Libya. Various militias are involved in running the detention camps as well as in violently intercepting migrants at sea. The connections between these militias and the Libyan government have been proven time and again. In recent months, the violent actions of these militias have intensified. Sea rescue organizations are also increasingly at risk. Just one month ago, militias belonging to the so-called coastguard fired on the rescue ship Ocean Viking.
After being fired upon, the crew of the Sea-Watch 5 sent out a Mayday relay and informed the relevant authorities and the German federal police. At 02:30 UTC, the Frontex aircraft Eagle2 arrived at the scene and confirmed that the Libyan patrol boat was 8 nautical miles behind the Sea-Watch 5.
Eliora Heinzel, head of operations on the Sea-Watch 5:
“The violence of Libyan militias against people fleeing and rescue ships is escalating. Just one month after the civil ship Ocean Viking was attacked, the so-called Libyan coastguard is firing on us. We call on all European states to immediately cease their support for the Libyan authorities.”
The Libyan patrol boat Ubari 660 Corrubia Class was handed over by Italy to the so-called Libyan coastguard in 2018 and has fired on rescue operations at sea in the past. Exactly one month ago, the rescue ship Ocean Viking, operated by the organization SOS Méditerranée, was also fired upon by the so-called Libyan coastguard.
