Libyan coastguard opens fire at humanitarian vessel

Mar 25, 2023 | Libyan actors

On 25 March, the SOS Mediterranee group said that the Libyan coast guard had fired warning shots at its search and rescue vessel, the Ocean Viking, as it responded to a distress call from a rubber boat carrying migrants in the Central Mediterranean. The coast guard was caught on camera threatening the vessel and firing a weapon into the air. In the footage, the coast guard vessel is seen traveling at a high rate of speed before attempting to prevent the Ocean Viking from reaching the migrant boat. At one point, gun shots are heard. The migrants were forced on to the coast guard vessel and returned to Libya. The Italian coast guard said it had received a report about the incident, but claimed that SOS Mediterranee did not follow correct procedures in reporting it.