Solidarity with the Ocean Viking! On Sunday, the rescue ship operated by SOS Méditerranée was fired upon in international waters by the so-called Libyan coast guard – for 20 minutes with hundreds of shots. Fortunately, neither the crew members nor the 87 people previously rescued on board were injured.
We have also been attacked by Libya during our current deployment: On Saturday evening, August 23, while searching for a distress call in the Libyan search and rescue zone, a patrol boat belonging to the so-called Libyan coast guard approached us closely and forced us off course. Our crew was also threatened with the use of firearms via VHF.
The so-called Libyan coast guard is directly and indirectly being supported by European states – for example, through donations of these very patrol boats, which were used to attack the Ocean Viking and the Trotamar III.
We demand an immediate end to European cooperation with Libyan actors! Libya is not a safe place!