Urgent SOS from Gaza Freedom Flotilla: Drone Attack Off Malta Coast Raises Alarms | CNN

A ship traveling to Gaza with humanitarian aid caught fire recently. Activists on board say it was attacked by a drone off Malta’s coast. This incident occurred early Friday morning, with around 30 people on the vessel.

Yasemin Acar, a spokesperson for the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), reported that the ship, named the Conscience, sustained significant damage and is now sinking. She explained, "There is a hole in the vessel right now." The crew sent out distress signals to nearby countries, including Malta, which dispatched a small boat from Cyprus to assist.

Video shared by the FFC showed flames and smoke rising from the ship, with loud explosions heard in the background. However, CNN has not verified this footage.

The Armed Forces of Malta confirmed that a fire had occurred but stated it has since been extinguished and that there were no injuries reported on board. Acar indicated that the ship was about 17 kilometers from Malta when the attack happened.

The FFC did not blame any specific group for the alleged drone strike, but they expressed grave concern for the safety of the international human rights activists aboard. "We have a sinking vessel with 30 activists on it," said Acar.

Tracking data revealed that the Conscience had departed Tunisia earlier in the week and was off Malta for approximately 12 hours before the incident. The ship, registered under the Palau flag, was initially scheduled to dock in Malta the previous Thursday to pick up more passengers.

FFC’s lead organizer, Thiago Avila, shared that they are working to coordinate a rescue mission for the damaged vessel. He noted, "We are aware that the boat is severely damaged," but the organization has not confirmed any injuries.

Gaza remains under significant strain due to the ongoing Israeli military blockade which has tightened since the tragic events of October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched attacks in Israel. The blockade has led to critical shortages, with over 2 million Palestinians facing severe restrictions on supplies.

While the situation unfolds, human rights activists worldwide have taken to social media to express their outrage. Many express solidarity with those impacted and call for urgent humanitarian aid. Increased awareness of these events is crucial, as the situation in Gaza continues to tighten.

For further details, you can visit the Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s website.

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