A humanitarian vessel affiliated with the “Freedom Flotilla” heading to deliver humanitarian supplies to Gaza was attacked by an Israeli drone in international waters off the coast of Malta early Friday.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which campaigns against Israel’s blockade of Gaza, told CNN that 30 people were aboard the ship carrying humanitarian aid when the attack occurred shortly after midnight local time.
Yasemin Acar, the coalition’s press officer, told CNN via phone from Malta: “There is a hole in the vessel right now, and the ship is sinking.”
Acar added that the ship had issued distress calls to neighboring countries, including Malta, and that a small boat from southern Cyprus had been dispatched to assist.
BREAKING: At 00:23 Maltese time, a #FreedomFlotilla ship was subjected to a drone attack. The front of the vessel was targeted twice, resulting in a fire and a breach in the hull. The ship is currently located in international waters near #Malta. An #SOS distress signal was sent. pic.twitter.com/J6oEQafuOb
— Freedom Flotilla Coalition (@GazaFFlotilla) May 2, 2025
She confirmed that she was able to contact the crew after the distress signal was sent.
“Our vessel is currently 17 kilometers off the shores of Malta in international waters and has been subjected to a drone attack twice,” Acar said, noting that the ship’s generators at the front appeared to be the primary target.
She explained that the generators were no longer providing the necessary electricity for the vessel and that the coalition had lost contact with the burning ship.
Al Jazeera, citing officials, reported that the vessel was attacked by Israeli drones near Malta, resulting in a fire onboard.
According to the network, the ship, named “Conscience,” had departed from Tunisia with 30 international human rights activists and humanitarian supplies on board and was targeted in international waters near Malta.
At 00:23 Maltese time, the Freedom Flotilla vessel was subjected to a drone attack. The front of the vessel was targeted twice, resulting in a fire and a breach in the hull. The ship is currently located in international waters near Malta.
An SOS distress signal was sent out, to… pic.twitter.com/1Fc2wQhlFv— Nicole Jenes (@NicoleJenes1) May 2, 2025
A spokesperson for the Freedom Flotilla stated that while the ship was anchored in international waters several miles off Malta, drones carried out two strikes, one of which hit the vessel’s power generator, causing a fire at the front and structural damage.
A video posted by the coalition on its X account shows flames and smoke billowing from the ship, with two explosions audible in a separate clip.
Marine traffic tracking sites indicate that the vessel, flying the flag of Palau, was stationed off Malta’s eastern coast on Friday morning.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition is an international network of pro-Palestinian human rights activists working to end Israel’s deadly blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid through direct, nonviolent action.
