OCEAN VIKING

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Calls for consequences after potential fatal attack of so-called Libyan Coastguard on rescue ship

Shots fired at head height, minutes of shelling, this is how sea rescuer Lucille Guenier described the so-called Libyan Coastguard's attack on the "Ocean Viking" in Augusta on Aug 27: "With this attack, the violence in the Mediterranean has reached unprecedented levels. Their intention was to kill people", according to communications officer on board. She was calling on the EU to immediately end its cooperation with the so-called Libyan Coastguard. Luise Amtsbergm Green Party member of the German Bundestag, also called for consequences. The survivors had disembarked the rescue ship in Augusta on the evening of Aug 25. No one was injured. The ship remained stationary in port as of Aug 28.

EU intervened after so-called Libyan Coastguard fired on rescue ship

The EU has intervened in response to the Libyan attack on the 'Ocean Viking' and has contacted the relevant Libyan authorities regarding the incident to clarify the facts. It was now up to the relevant Libyan authorities to urgently shed light on what happened, said Markus Lammert, EU spokesperson for Home Affairs and Migration, on 'Aug 26, after the aid organization SOS Méditerranée jsf reported the shooting at the "Ocean Viking§ and also published photos of shell casings and shattered portholes. At the time of the incident, the "Ocean Viking" was carrying 87 rescued people – including nine unaccompanied minors – who had recently been brought to safety from a rubber dinghy off the Libyan coast. The "Ocean Viking" arrived with the migrants in the Sicilian port of Augusta on Aug 25 and remained stationary in port on Aug 27.

So called Libyan Coastguard shot on rescue ship with 87 migrants on board

On Aug 24, the 'Ocean Viking' was attacked by a Corrubia-class patrol boat of the so-called Libyan Coastguard in international waters. Hundreds of shots were fired at the ship, according to SOS Méditerranée, the ship's operator, which also published photos of shell casings and shattered portholes. There were 87 migrnats aboard, rescued between the night of Aug 23 and the morning of Aug 24 — when the Coastguard opened fire. The ship had been asked by the Italian authorities to pause her course to the assigned disembarkation port and search for an additional boat in distress in International waters. While the teams were actively engaged in searching for the boat, a Libyan patrol boat approachhed and unlawfully demanded the ship to leave the area and head north. The information was first given in English, and then in Arabic, with translation by a cultural mediator on board, who informed them from the bridge that the 'Ocean Viking' was leaving the area. However, without any warning or ultimatum, two men aboard the patrol vessel opened fire on the humanitarian ship, unleashing at least 20 relentless minutes of assault gunfire directly at them. During the time of the assault, the patrol vessel circled the 'Ocean Viking', deliberately targeting crew members on the Bridge — the part of the ship where the navigation and steering take place. The attack caused bullet holes at head height, the destruction of multiple antennas, and four broken windows on the Bridge, and several bullets struck and damaged the three RHIBS along with other rescue equipment. While the attack was Underway, the teams from SOS Mediterranée and the IFRC secured the 87 survivors before taking shelter inside the ship. Fortunately, no crew members or survivors on board sustained any injuries. The incident has been confirmed by the Norwegian Central Rescue Service. On board were nine crew members and 111 survivors from previous rescue operations. No one was injured, and the ship suffered minor damage. The ship had rescued 47 migrants, including nine minors, in a recent operation off Libya on the night of Aug 23. Many of them had been fleeing the war in Sudan. Among them were nine unaccompanied minors. The migrants had been taken to safety from a rubber dinghy off the Libyan coast. The 'Ocean Viking' got designated the port of Marina di Carrara as destination. SOS Méditerranée criticized the great distance of the assigned port – around 1,300 kilometers from the rescue site – which meant a transit time of 3,5 days. The Libyan coast guard is funded and equipped by the Italian authorities under a memorandum of understanding (MOU) renewed in 2022 for another five years. The agreement provides financial support, vessels, and training for personnel. The patrol boat, built for the Guardia di Finanza, Italy's militarized police agency, has been donated to Libya. Reports with photos and video: https://www.sosmediterranee.org/sos-med-libyan-attack/ https://www.nicematin.com/faits-divers/un-acte-scandaleux-et-inacceptable-le-navire-ambulance-ocean-viking-victime-d-une-attaque-armee-pardes-garde-cotes-libyens-999239