Mediterranea Saving Humans, an Italian NGO dedicated to aiding migrants at sea, reports an alarming attack where a Libyan coast guard patrol boat fired shots. On April 4th, 2024, their vessel, Mare Jonio, came under fire from a Libyan coast guard patrol boat while conducting a rescue operation in international waters.
In a statement issued shortly after the incident, Mediterranea Saving Humans described the encounter as a violent attack, alleging that Libyan coast guard members fired shots into the water and air, causing panic among the rescued individuals, some of whom ended up in the sea. Expressing grave concern, the NGO pleaded with the Italian government to address what they termed as the “violent, dangerous, and criminal behavior” exhibited by the Libyan Coast Guard during the incident.
Denny Castiglione, mission chief of Mediterranea Saving Humans, provided further details, revealing that migrants were subjected to whipping on the Libyan patrol boat. In a video shared on social media, Castiglione recounted the events, highlighting the aggressive conduct of the Libyan Coast Guard, which he said prompted many to jump into the sea out of fear.
This alarming incident has sparked concerns among European lawmakers, with Pietro Bartolo, a Member of the European Parliament representing Italy’s Democratic Party, describing it as “very serious.” Bartolo emphasized the urgent need for intervention to protect the rights of migrants and rescue workers at sea and to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The incident underscores the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean, where NGOs face mounting challenges in conducting rescue operations amidst escalating tensions and threats.
Advocates are calling for collaborative efforts between the Italian government and the European Union to ensure the safety of all individuals involved in maritime rescue operations and to uphold humanitarian principles in addressing the plight of migrants at sea.