A new incident has reignited concerns over migrant safety in the central Mediterranean after reports that the Libyan Coastguard opened fire on a boat carrying people within Malta’s search-and-rescue (SAR) zone.
According to the NGO Alarmphone, which provides distress hotlines for migrants crossing the Mediterranean, the shooting occurred on Sunday afternoon. The organisation said it was in direct contact with those on board when the Libyan vessel attacked.
“This violent attack must be stopped immediately,” Alarmphone said in a post, urging EU authorities to intervene and ensure the passengers’ safety. The NGO called on European institutions to take responsibility and protect those attempting dangerous crossings to Europe.
Alarmphone, established 11 years ago, has received more than 8,000 distress calls from migrant boats. The group condemned the latest incident as part of a pattern of violent and unlawful behaviour by Libyan authorities operating beyond their territorial waters.
The event follows a similar episode in August, when the Libyan Coastguard allegedly fired over 100 rounds at the French rescue ship Ocean Viking in international waters. That vessel, operated by the humanitarian organisation SOS Méditerranée in partnership with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, was responding to a distress call after completing two rescue missions coordinated with Italian authorities.
Last week, SOS Méditerranée and seven members of its crew filed a legal complaint in France, accusing unknown persons of “attempted murder,” “destruction of property by an organised gang,” and “complicity with criminals.” The group’s director, Sophie Beau, described it as “the most serious attack we have faced in ten years.”
Humanitarian groups are now urging Brussels to reassess its partnership with Libyan authorities, which receive EU funding for border management. Rights advocates say such cooperation has led to repeated human rights violations, including forced returns and armed aggression against civilians and rescue vessels.
