https://sosmediterranee.it/2025/08/25/la-guardia-costiera-libica-ha-spar....
Yesterday afternoon, at 3.03pm local time, the MV Ocean Viking, a search and rescue ship chartered by SOS MEDITERRANEE in collaboration with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), was deliberately targeted in a fire attack by the Libyan Coast Guard. Although no one was physically injured, everyone on board feared for their lives and essential rescue equipment, as well as the ship itself, suffered significant damage.
At the time of the attack, Ocean Viking was in international waters, about 40 nautical miles north of the Libyan coast, when it was approached by a Libyan Coast Guard Corrubia-class patrol boat.
With 87 survivors already on board – rescued between the night of Saturday 23 August and the morning of Sunday 24 August in two different operations – our ship had been authorized by the Italian Coordination Center to interrupt its route to the assigned port of disembarkation and to search for another vessel in difficulty in international waters. While our teams were busy searching for the rescue case, the Ocean Viking was approached by the Libyan patrol boat, which illegally requested to leave the area and head north. The information was provided to us first in English and then in Arabic, with the translation of our cultural mediator on board, who informed from the bridge that the Ocean Viking was leaving the area. However, without any warning or ultimatum, two men aboard the patrol boat opened fire on our aid ship, starting a lasting assault at least 20 uninterrupted minutes directly against us.
During the assault, the patrol boat surrounded the Ocean Viking, by deliberately targeting crew members on deck, the part of the ship where navigation and steering operations take place. The attack caused bullet holes at head height, the destruction of several antennas, four broken windows on the deck, and several shells that hit and damaged the three RHIBS (fast rescue speedboats), along with other rescue equipment.
While the attack was ongoing, SOS MEDITERRANEE and IFRC teams secured the 87 survivors before taking refuge inside the ship. Fortunately, no crew members or survivors on board sustained any injuries. After the incident, MV Ocean Viking launched a mayday and alerted NATO, demanding protection and assistance. Our ship was directed to the nearest NATO unit, an Italian naval vessel. However, the Italian navy never responded to the call.
This incident was not just an outrageous and unacceptable act: the methods, circumstances and dynamics clearly demonstrate that it was a deliberate and targeted attack against our crew and, secondly, against our rescue capabilities. This is not an isolated case: the Libyan Coast Guard has a long history of reckless behavior that endangers people at sea, blatantly violates human rights, and shows total disregard for international maritime law.
Yet European states, with Italy at the forefront, continue to support, equip and train the Libyan Coast Guard. The patrol boat 2 used by the Libyan Coast Guard during the attack had been donated by Italy in 2023 under the European Union programme “Support to Integrated Border and Migration Management in Libya (SIBMMIL)” (Support for integrated border and migration management in Libya). In July 2023, the Ocean Viking suffered a violent collision when a similar patrol boat fired near our dinghies during a rescue. Despite our public requests, no investigation has been opened.
“We demand that a thorough investigation be carried out into the events of yesterday afternoon and that those responsible for these acts that jeopardise people's lives be brought to justice”, says Valeria Taurino, Director-General of SOS MEDITERRANEE Italia.
“We also call for the immediate cessation of all European collaboration with Libya. An individual who makes illegal claims in international waters, deliberately obstructs relief efforts for persons in danger of death and targets unarmed humanitarian workers and rescued persons cannot be considered a competent authority. We cannot accept an internationally recognized coast guard carrying out illegal assaults. We also call for an end to the criminalization of relief efforts, an attitude that only creates fertile ground for these incredibly violent attacks”, concludes Taurino.
Our ship is now sailing north. The captain of the Ocean Viking exercised his superior authority to set a course for Syracuse, the home port, to disembark all 87 survivors and make critical repairs needed. The Italian authorities confirmed the destination.
