The European Commission has confirmed that Libyan authorities are investigating reports that the Libyan Coast Guard opened fire on the Ocean Viking, a rescue vessel operated by the humanitarian group SOS Méditerranée, in late August.
A spokesperson for the EU’s executive body said during a press briefing that the EU delegation in Libya had raised the incident directly with Libyan authorities, urging them to take all necessary measures to ensure full compliance with both national and international obligations.
According to the spokesperson, Libyan officials informed the EU mission that an investigation is currently underway, and Brussels is awaiting the findings before further assessment.
SOS Méditerranée accused the Libyan Coast Guard of targeting the vessel and its crew in international waters on Sunday, August 24, while 87 migrants were on board following two separate rescue operations.
French MEP Mounir Satouri, Chair of the European Parliament’s Human Rights Committee, strongly criticized what he described as “criminal complicity” between the EU, some member states, and Libya in handling irregular migration. The issue continues to stir heated debate within European political circles.
In a statement, the humanitarian group reported that over 100 bullet impacts were found on the ship’s hull, evidence that the incident was not a mere “warning shot” but a direct attack. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the rescued migrants or crew.
