All 16 passengers and crew aboard a Gaza aid flotilla are confirmed safe after drones attacked their vessel in international waters off Malta, the Maltese government announced on Friday.
“The vessel had 12 crew members on board and four civilian passengers; no casualties were reported,” the government statement said, adding that a nearby tugboat was dispatched to assist the ship.
The group organizing the aid mission, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, claimed the vessel, named The Conscience, was attacked by drones at 12:23 a.m. local time while en route to the Palestinian territory. “Our ship came under direct attack in international waters,” the coalition stated.
There has been no comment from Israel regarding the allegations.
The flotilla was part of ongoing efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of aid missions in international waters.
Authorities are investigating the incident to determine the circumstances surrounding the attack.
