The Global Sumud Flotilla confirmed that its lead vessel, the Family Boat, was struck by an incendiary drone while anchored near Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia.
The Portuguese-flagged ship was carrying members of the flotilla’s steering committee, including climate activist Greta Thunberg and journalist Yusuf Omar. Thunberg was not on the vessel at the time of the attack.
All six passengers and crew were not physically harmed, though the vessel sustained fire damage to its deck and storage areas.
Tiago Ávila, a flotilla coordinator, told Al Jazeera that “the Family ship was targeted by a burning drone off the coast of Tunisia. Several of our team were onboard at the time, but all survived.”
Yusuf Omar, in a video posted to Instagram, described the explosion as happening “right next to our diesel tank,” adding that neighboring boats saw the drone fly overhead before it detonated.
The Global Sumud Flotilla released footage showing the moment of impact and the fire that followed.
The group called the attack “an act of aggression aimed at intimidating and derailing our mission,” but affirmed that their journey to break the siege on Gaza will continue.
Despite testimonies from activist onboard the ship, Tunisian authorities denied the drone strike alleging “completely unfounded claim.”
National Guard spokesperson Houcem Eddine Jebabli told AFP and Mosaique FM that “no drone has been detected,” and claimed the fire may have originated from a cigarette or lighter igniting life jackets onboard.
UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, present in Tunisia, warned via X that “if confirmed, this constitutes an assault and aggression against Tunisia, and Tunisian sovereignty.” She stated she was at the port “trying to figure out the facts with local authorities.”
The flotilla, comprising activists from 44 countries, departed Barcelona in late August and is en route to Gaza carrying humanitarian aid. This incident follows previous allegations of drone attacks on Gaza-bound aid ships, including the Conscience vessel off Malta in May.
