All on board Gaza Freedom Flotilla safe after attack, Maltese government says

Flotilla organised by activist groups seeks to deliver aid to Palestinian enclave

A tug vessel puts out a fire on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla vessel Conscience, outside Maltese territorial waters. Reuters

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All the people on board a Gaza aid flotilla are safe after the vessel was hit by drones in international waters off Malta in the early hours of Friday.

"The vessel had 12 crew members on board and four civilian passengers. No casualties were reported," the Maltese government said, adding that a nearby tug had been directed to assist the vessel.

"By 2.13am, all crew were confirmed safe but refused to board the tug. The ship remains outside territorial waters and is being monitored by the competent authorities."

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The humanitarian operation was organised by a coalition of 12 rights groups who aim to deliver aid to Gaza. The Freedom Flotilla Coaltion said on social media that it issued a distress call following the attack shortly after midnight local time.

"The front of the vessel was targeted twice, resulting in a fire and a breach in the hull," it said in the post accompanied by a video showing flames and smoke rising from the ship.

It did not attribute blame for the incident. The National could not independently verify the video.

Turkey's foreign ministry said Turkish nationals were on board at the time of the incident and it was working with Maltese authorities to transfer them to a safe location.

"We condemn in the strongest terms this attack on a civilian ship," it said, noting that there were "allegations that the ship was targeted by Israeli drones".

"All necessary efforts will be made to reveal the details of the attack as soon as possible and to bring the perpetrators to justice," it said.

The coalition claimed that the Maltese government had not responded to the distress call. It urged the country to abide by its obligations under international maritime law.

Activists involved in the campaign have previously said that, under international law, they should not be subject to curbs by any government while delivering aid.

The flotilla's press officer told CNN that 30 people were on board the ship carrying aid to Gaza. The coalition says on its website that it is an international network of pro-Palestinian activists who seek to deliver aid to the war-ravaged enclave amid an Israeli blockade by taking non-violent action.

In 2010, the Israeli army raided a flotilla, killing 10 passengers.