Sea-Watch, one of the major NGOs involved in rescuing migrants while trying to cross the Mediterranean, became subject to heavy gunfire by officials working for Libyan authorities, which resulted in one casualty according to a press release from the NGO.

The organization said the attack happened overnight from September 25 to September 26, shortly after one of its ships, the Sea-Watch 5, had rescued 66 people at sea.

Although at first the crew on board thought that they had rescued everyone unharmed, it emerged later today (September 29) according to the NGO that one person may have been left to drown as a result of the intervention from the Libyan boat.

"The so-called Libyan coast guard fired live ammunition," the NGO said in a statement on its website, adding that the assault came after the ship crew had heard the Libyan Ubari 660 Corrubia Class patrol boat ordering the rescue boat via radio to change its course while the rescue operation was ongoing.

Abandoning its position, however, would have meant stopping the rescue operation, Sea Watch added.

"The militia then approached the ship and eventually fired live ammunition at it. The crew and those rescued were unharmed," the Sea-Watch statement sent on Friday (September 26), added. "After being fired upon, the crew of the Sea-Watch 5 sent out a Mayday relay and informed the relevant authorities and the German federal police."

More details about the person who drowned in the Mediterranean Sea are yet to emerge.

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Sea-Watch accuses the EU of complicity

Sea-Watch stressed that this particular Libyan patrol boat had been given to the Libyan coastguard in 2018 as part of an EU deal signed the previous year, according to which the authorities in Tripoli would be provided financial, technical and material support to intercept migrants and return them, building on another deal signed directly between the Italian and Libyan governments.

The NGO's spokeswoman Giorgia Linardi said the Libyan attacks were therefore a "direct consequence" of EU migration policies.

"It's unacceptable that the Italian government, and the EU allows criminal militia to fire on civilians," she added.

Sea-Watch meanwhile has also called for an immediate investigation and action from the European Union.

Migrant NGOs operating in the Mediterranean Sea repeatedly raise the issue that these EU deals with Libya are problematic because numerous reports (from the UN, NGOs and journalists) detail that migrants sent back to the North African nation can suffer inhumane conditions, discrimination, racism, violence, sexual assault and murder.

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Libya: repeated attacks against migrant NGOs at sea

Sea-Watch said that the rate of such attacks at sea by what it calls Libyan "militia" has increased in recent months.

Charities and international organizations say that many of the roles allocated to coast guard officials are routinely outsourced by the Libyan government to militia or mercenaries, calling for an end to the practise.

Part of the reason for this is the fact that two major rival groups are fighting for power in Libya, resulting in a non-unified administration between the western and eastern parts of the country — in particular along the northern coastline.

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On August 24, the private rescue ship Ocean Viking, which is operated by the charity SOS Mediterranee, was also subjected to gunfire in a similar manner. 

The NGO reported at the time that "hundreds of bullets" had been used against them, adding that this attack had taken place after the rescue of 87 people in international waters.

Read AlsoOcean Viking rescue ship shot at by Libyan Coast Guard, aid group says

with AFP, EPD