Updated 7.45am
Activists on board a Gaza Freedom Flotilla vessel say their vessel was attacked by drones just outside Maltese waters on Friday.
The boat with 30 international human rights activists aboard was heading towards Gaza in a mission to highlight Israel’s siege on the Palestinian enclave.
An Armed Forces of Malta patrol boat has been dispatched to help put out the fire that the activists said was caused by the drone attack.
The Freedom Flotilla sent out a call for help early on Friday, saying the front of the vessel was targeted twice, resulting in a fire and a breach in the hull.
“The drone attack appears to have specifically targeted the ship’s generator, and the vessel is now at risk of sinking with 30 international human rights activists on board.”
It said Cyprus answered its SOS distress signal and a Malta government source confirmed with Times of Malta that the AFM also sent a patrol boat on site to help put out the fire.
The source said the boat is 14 nautical miles off the coast of Malta – just outside territorial waters – and nobody has been injured.
Times of Malta has contacted the Armed Forces of Malta about the fire and has not yet confirmed what caused it.
Andre Callus from Moviment Graffitti said he reported the SOS call at 3am to the police, who, in turn, said they will be in touch with AFM.
Over the past months, Graffitti has been supporting activists from the Gaza Freedom Flotilla in preparation for a mission to break Israel’s genocidal blockade on Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid.
The Freedom Flotilla’s efforts aim to end the blockade and deliver aid to the besieged enclave through non-violent action.
More to follow.
