Damaged Gaza Aid Ship Arrives In Libya For Repairs After Alleged Drone Strike Off Malta
The Gaza-bound aid vessel Conscience, which was reportedly struck by Israeli drones just outside Maltese waters earlier this month, has officially arrived in Misurata, Libya for repairs as reported by the Times of Malta.
The ship suffered damage to its front section after being hit by two drones, according to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the NGO behind the mission.
The vessel was towed to Libyan waters by the Italian tugboat Cala Azzurra, arriving at 8am on Tuesday, where it will now undergo repairs.
Malta’s Foreign Minister Ian Borg confirmed earlier that the 12 crew members on board had been repatriated via Malta.
He also thanked Turkey for its assistance, with reports confirming Turkey helped coordinate the vessel’s relocation to Libya.
The incident made headlines after it was revealed the Conscience had been on its way to Malta to pick up a group of activists, including Greta Thunberg before continuing its mission to deliver aid to Gaza.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition has now called for a UN forensic investigation into the damage and is preparing for another maritime mission aimed at delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza.