Armed Libyan coastguard forces fired10 to 15 shots at a German rescue ship carrying 90 migrants and 30 crew members in Mediterranean waters on May 11, then attempted to force the vessel toward Libya. Italian authorities responded by opening a criminal investigation into the rescue ship's captain.
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The shooting began at 11 AM when gunmen aboard a Libyan patrol boat opened fire on the Sea-Watch 5 without warning. The German-flagged vessel was conducting rescue operations north of Libya's coast when the attack occurred.
Nobody expects to rescue people and then get shot at. I could see the boat extremely close; it was too close.
Crew member and Arabic interpreter negotiated with the attackers after the initial gunfire. The Libyan forces demanded the rescue ship divert to Tripoli and threatened to board the vessel when crew members refused. Over the ship's radio, attackers repeatedly warned "stop, or we will shoot" despite the rescue team's insistence they were unarmed and peaceful.
Third Attack in 10 Months
The incident marks the third armed attack on NGO rescue ships in 10 months. In September, Sea-Watch 5 came under fire from Libyan forces. In August, the Ocean Viking endured 20 minutes of gunfire with bullets striking windows at head height.
The Libyan patrol boat involved in Monday's attack was donated by Italy as part of an EU-funded migration management program. Despite the "unfortunate incident," the European Commission announced plans to continue supporting Libya's coastguard operations, defending the program as having "prevented" further attacks.
The rescued migrants had departed Libya in the early hours of May 11 before their boat encountered distress. Crew members from six countries including Germany, France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Ukraine and Egypt were aboard during the attack. All passengers and crew "feared for their lives" during the shooting, according to Sea-Watch.
Italy Investigates Rescue Captain
On Saturday, Italian authorities opened a criminal investigation into Sea-Watch 5's captain for "aiding and abetting illegal migration." The German NGO called the probe "a clear attempt to obstruct" rescue operations and reduce lifesaving capacity at sea.
The crew issued mayday alerts and contacted Italian and German authorities requesting assistance during the attack. "We received no substantive response, including no clarification as to which authority was operationally responsible," Sea-Watch spokesperson Julia Winkler said.
The escalating violence against rescue operations threatens to further reduce humanitarian assistance in the Mediterranean migration corridor, where European authorities continue funding Libyan forces despite repeated attacks on civilian vessels.
