"Hundreds of shots were fired by the Libyan Coast Guard in international waters against the ship Ocean Viking," said the NGO SOS Mediterranée on Sunday (August 24), denouncing a "violent and deliberate attack" against the migrant rescue ship.

They published pictures of the discharged shells and the destroyed boat windows in a post on X.

Slightly before the attack, which took place on August 24 at 3:03 pm, according to the organization, they had rescued a rubber dinghy off the Libyan coast with 87 migrants on board, among them 9 unaccompanied minors.

'For twenty consecutive minutes they shot at us'

"They shot at us for twenty consecutive minutes," recounted the Ocean Viking crew.

"Despite the fact that no one was injured physically, everyone on board feared for their life," added the crew, explaining that the ship was the target of gunshots after having rescued 87 shipwrecked persons who were already on board. These migrants had been rescued on the night between Saturday, August 23 and the morning of August 24, in two separate operations."

"Our vessel had been authorised by the Italian Coordination Center to pause her Course to the assigned disembarkation port and search for an additional boat in distress in International waters," SOS Mediterranée explained on Monday.

"While our teams were actively engaged in searching for the distress case, the Ocean Viking was approached by the Libyan patrol vessel, which unlawfully demanded that we leave the area and head north. 

"The information was first given to us in English, and then in Arabic, with translation by our cultural mediator on board, who informed them from the Bridge that the Ocean Viking was leaving the area. However, without any warning or ultimatum, two men aboard the patrol vessel opened fire on our humanitarian ship, unleashing at least 20 relentless minutes of assault gunfire directly at us," the statement read.

The bullets caused holes at the head of the ship, many antennas were destroyed, four windows on the deck and various bullets hit and damaged the three rapid rescue motor boats, together with other rescue material.

'We alerted NATO and called for protection and assistance'

After moments of terror, the SOS Mediterranée teams placed the 87 shipwreck survivors in safety before seeking refuge themselves inside the ship.

"Fortunately, no one was injured", said the crew of the Ocean Viking, which, after the incident, launched "a rescue signal, alerting NATO requesting protection and assistance. Our ship was then sent to the nearest NATO unit, a ship of the Italian navy. However, the Italian navy never responded to our call".

SOS Méditerranée released a video of the incident. "This incident was not only an outrageous and unacceptable act. The methods, circumstances, and dynamics clearly demonstrate a deliberate, targeted attack on our crew and, secondly, on our rescue capabilities," the group stated in a press release. 

"We demand a full investigation into the events of yesterday afternoon and that those responsible for these life-threatening attacks be brought to justice," said Soazic Dupuy, SOS Méditerrané director of operations. "We also demand an immediate end to all European collaboration with Libya."

Initially, the Ocean Viking had been assigned the port of Marina di Carrara, Tuscany, as the port to dock, 1,300 kilometers away from the rescue area. However, following the protests of SOS Mediterranée, on Monday, the Italian Ministry of Interior assigned a new port to dock, which was closer, in Augusta, Sicily.