Barko na may lulang mga aktibista at ayuda para sa Gaza, inatake ng drones – NGO
Activists wash the deck of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition ship 'Handala' as they prepare to sail for Gaza in an attempt to break a long-standing Israeli blockade and deliver humanitarian aid amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Marsa, Malta August 16, 2024. (File photo: Reuters)
Kinumpirma ng Maltese government na “ligtas” ang lahat ng sakay ng isang aid flotilla na patungong Gaza, na tinamaan ng drones habang naglalayag sa international water ng Malta.
Ayon sa pahayag, “The vessel had 12 crew members on board and four civilian passengers; no casualties were reported. A nearby tug had been directed to aid the vessel.”
Batay pa sa pahayag ng gobyerno, “The tug arrived on scene and began firefighting operations. By 1:28 a.m. (2328 GMT Thursday), the fire was reported under control. An Armed Forces of Malta patrol vessel was also dispatched to provide further assistance.”
“By 2:13 a.m., 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.”
Sinabi ng The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, isang international NGO, na ang barko ay may lulang humanitarian aid at mga aktibista at patungo ito sa Gaza nang bombahin ng drones habang nasa international waters sa Malta, ngayong Biyernes.
Sa isang uploaded video footage ay makikita ang isang sunog sa isa sa mga barko nito, ngunit walang indikasyon kung sino ang posibleng responsable sa pag-atake.
Sa isang social media post ay sinabi ng NGO, “The drone attack appears to have specifically targeted the ship’s generator, and the vessel is now at risk of sinking with 30 international human rights activists on board.”
Ang barko ay nagpadala ng isang SOS distress makaraan itong tamaan, 17 nautical miles (31.5 kilometers) sa silangan ng Malta, kung saan rumesponde naman ang Cyprus sa pamamagitan ng pagdi-despatch ng isang vessel.
