Everyone aboard an aid flotilla for Gaza that was allegedly hit by drones in international waters off Malta overnight are “confirmed safe,” the Maltese government says in a statement.
“The vessel had 12 crew members on board and four civilian passengers; no casualties were reported,” the statement says, adding that a nearby tug was directed to aid the vessel, which the government confirms is Palau-flagged Conscience.
“The tug arrived on the scene and began firefighting operations,” the government says, contradicting the pro-Palestinian activists’ claim that Malta didn’t respond to the mayday call for many hours.
The statement says that by 1:28 a.m. local time (2:28 a.m. Israel time), “the fire was reported under control. An Armed Forces of Malta patrol vessel was also dispatched to provide further assistance.”
Forty-five minutes later, “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,” the statement concludes.
Flotilla organizers have claimed the ship was hit in an Israeli drone strike. Israel hasn’t commented on the accusation.
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