French lawmakers have voiced strong criticism over an alleged attack by the Libyan coast guard on the humanitarian rescue vessel Ocean Viking, warning that the incident represents a serious breach of international maritime law and places humanitarian operations in the Mediterranean at risk.
According to a report cited by Le Monde, the incident occurred in August while the Ocean Viking, operated by the NGO SOS Méditerranée, was sailing in international waters on a rescue mission in the central Mediterranean. The ship had reportedly responded to a distress call and was preparing to carry out a third rescue operation when a Libyan patrol boat approached at high speed and ordered the crew to leave the area.
French parliamentarians said the Libyan coast guard then opened fire for nearly 20 minutes, endangering the lives of the crew, rescued migrants and the vessel itself. No injuries were reported, which lawmakers attributed to the professionalism of the crew, but they said the incident caused severe psychological shock and significant material damage to rescue equipment.
The NGO, which is based in France with headquarters registered in Marseille, said several crew members involved in the incident were French nationals. Lawmakers expressed regret at what they described as the absence of a diplomatic response from the French government proportionate to the gravity of the incident.
In a joint letter, the parliamentarians accused Libyan authorities responsible for coordinating search and rescue in the area of failing in their duties. They stressed that humanitarian crews were acting in line with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and international conventions on maritime safety and search and rescue.
The lawmakers called the incident a dangerous violation of international and maritime law, emphasising that the duty to rescue people in distress at sea applies regardless of nationality or legal status.
They urged the French government to push for an independent international investigation and called on European institutions to suspend all financial, material and operational support provided by the European Union and Italy to the Libyan coast guard until accountability is ensured.
