Latest news with #MaltaGovernmentDepartmentofInformation
Straits Times
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Malta to repair aid ship reportedly bombed by drones
FILE PHOTO: A tug vessel puts a fire on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla vessel Conscience outside Maltese territorial waters in this handout picture provided by Malta Government Department of Information, May 2, 2025. Government of Malta/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo FILE PHOTO: The damaged Gaza Freedom Flotilla ship \"Conscience\" is anchored at sea outside Maltese territorial waters, after the NGO said the vessel was bombed by drones while carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, May 3, 2025. REUTERS/Darrin Zammit Lupi/File Photo VALLETTA, Malta - Malta's government said on Tuesday it would carry out repairs in international waters on a humanitarian aid ship which was reportedly bombed by two drones early on Friday. The "Conscience" is operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, an international NGO which says it wants to use the ship to break the siege of Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid. The drone attack happened as the ship waited to board an international group of activists just outside Malta's waters, causing a loss of power and communications, Freedom Flotilla said on Friday. It said Israel, which has blockaded Gaza in its war against Palestinian Hamas militants, was to blame for the incident. Israel did not respond to Reuters requests for comment. The Malta government said a surveyor had inspected the vessel and found it needed minor repairs in order to sail to its next destination. "The ship's hull and engine room were found in good or satisfactory condition and free from water ingress. Most of the important equipment on the vessel such as the two main engines, the two generators, the bow thrust and the fire extinguishers were operational." The survey found only food and drink for crew members for about 30 days, the government said. "The captain indicated that a limited part of the food and drink supplies were for humanitarian purposes." Fuel storage of around 32 tonnes was also found. "The Government will be carrying out repairs which require immediate attention so that the vessel sails to its next destination," the government said. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Barnama
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
Flotilla Negotiates Docking As Gaza-Bound Aid Ship Remains Stranded After Drone Attack
A tug vessel puts out a fire on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla vessel Conscience outside Maltese territorial waters in this handout picture provided by Malta Government Department of Information, May 2, 2025. Government of Malta/Handout via REUTERS ANKARA, May 5 (Bernama) -- A humanitarian aid ship bound for Gaza remains anchored in international waters off Malta as negotiations continue with Maltese authorities to allow it to dock for urgent repairs following a suspected drone attack on Friday, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported. The ship, Conscience, operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, was struck by drones early May 2 while en route from Tunisia to Gaza. According to those on board, the vessel suffered a fire and significant damage to its engine room and hull. bootstrap slideshow There were no serious injuries reported among the 16 people on board, which includes crew members, journalists and humanitarian workers from more than 20 countries. In an interview with AA, Mavi Marmara Freedom and Solidarity Association chairperson Ismail Songur, who was aboard the ship, said the explosion was followed by a fire that lasted nearly four hours. 'We saw a drone overhead, and shortly after, a second explosion occurred,' he said. Efforts to contact emergency services were reportedly hampered after communication systems were jammed and distress calls were overridden. Maltese emergency crews arrived hours later. The vessel is currently located about 12 nautical miles off Malta and remains under surveillance by coast guard vessels. It is not permitted to move while dock access remains under negotiation. Maltese officials have indicated willingness to assist, but have requested cargo inspection to confirm the vessel is carrying only humanitarian aid.
Straits Times
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
NGO says it's in talks with Malta to repair Gaza-bound aid ship hit by drones
A tug vessel puts a fire on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla vessel Conscience outside Maltese territorial waters in this handout picture provided by Malta Government Department of Information, May 2, 2025. Government of Malta/Handout via REUTERS FILE PHOTO: The damaged Gaza Freedom Flotilla ship \"Conscience\" is anchored at sea outside Maltese territorial waters, after the NGO said the vessel was bombed by drones while carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, May 3, 2025. REUTERS/Darrin Zammit Lupi/File Photo Activists hold a Palestinian flag on a yacht carrying supplies as they are prevented from approaching the damaged Gaza Freedom Flotilla vessel \"Conscience\", after the group said it was bombed by drones while carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, at sea outside Maltese territorial waters, May 3, 2025. REUTERS/Darrin Zammit Lupi People stand on a boat as activists are prevented from approaching the damaged Gaza Freedom Flotilla vessel \"Conscience\", after the group said it was bombed by drones while carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, at sea outside Maltese territorial waters, May 3, 2025. REUTERS/Darrin Zammit Lupi The damaged Gaza Freedom Flotilla vessel \"Conscience\" is anchored at sea outside Maltese territorial waters, after it was bombed by drones while carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, May 3, 2025. REUTERS/Darrin Zammit Lupi NGO says it's in talks with Malta to repair Gaza-bound aid ship hit by drones VALLETTA - An international NGO that intends to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza by sea said on Sunday it was in talks with Malta's government about allowing the vessel to enter Maltese waters to repair damage caused by a drone attack. The ship "Conscience" run by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition suffered damage to its front section including a loss of power when hit by two drones just outside Maltese territorial waters in the central Mediterranean early on Friday, the NGO said. The coalition, an international non-governmental group, said Israel, which has blockaded and bombarded Gaza in its war against Palestinian Hamas militants, was to blame for the incident. Israel has not responded to requests for comment. The Conscience had been waiting to take on board some 30 peace activists from around the world before trying to sail to Gaza in the eastern Mediterranean to deliver food and medicines. Prime Minister Robert Abela said on Sunday that Malta was prepared to assist the ship with necessary repairs so that it could continue on its journey, once it was satisfied that the vessel held only humanitarian aid. Coalition officials said on Sunday the ship was in no danger of sinking but they wanted to be sure it would be safe from further attacks while undergoing repairs, and able to sail out again. Earlier on Sunday the coalition had accused Malta of impeding access to its ship. Malta denied the claim, saying the crew had refused assistance and even refused to allow a surveyor on board to assess the damage. "The FFC would like to clarify our commitment to engagement with (Maltese) authorities to expedite the temporary docking of our ship for repairs and surveyors, so we can continue on the urgent humanitarian mission to Gaza," the coalition said in a statement later in the day. A Malta government spokesman said its offer was to assist in repairs out at sea once the boat's cargo was verified to be aid. Coalition officials said the surveyor was welcome to board as part of the deal being negotiated with Malta. Another NGO ship on a similar mission to Gaza in 2010 was stopped and boarded by Israeli troops, and nine activists died. Other such ships have similarly been stopped and boarded, without loss of life. Hamas issued a statement about the incident off Malta, accusing Israel of "piracy" and "state terrorism". REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
NGO says Malta blocking access to Gaza-bound aid ship hit by drones
A tug vessel puts a fire on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla vessel Conscience outside Maltese territorial waters in this handout picture provided by Malta Government Department of Information, May 2, 2025. Government of Malta/Handout via REUTERS FILE PHOTO: The damaged Gaza Freedom Flotilla ship \"Conscience\" is anchored at sea outside Maltese territorial waters, after the NGO said the vessel was bombed by drones while carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, May 3, 2025. REUTERS/Darrin Zammit Lupi/File Photo Activists hold a Palestinian flag on a yacht carrying supplies as they are prevented from approaching the damaged Gaza Freedom Flotilla vessel \"Conscience\", after the group said it was bombed by drones while carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, at sea outside Maltese territorial waters, May 3, 2025. REUTERS/Darrin Zammit Lupi People stand on a boat as activists are prevented from approaching the damaged Gaza Freedom Flotilla vessel \"Conscience\", after the group said it was bombed by drones while carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, at sea outside Maltese territorial waters, May 3, 2025. REUTERS/Darrin Zammit Lupi The damaged Gaza Freedom Flotilla vessel \"Conscience\" is anchored at sea outside Maltese territorial waters, after it was bombed by drones while carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, May 3, 2025. REUTERS/Darrin Zammit Lupi VALLETTA - An international NGO accused Malta on Sunday of impeding access to a Gaza-bound humanitarian aid ship which it says was bombed by two drones two days before, and Malta denied the claim, saying the crew had refused assistance. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, an international non-governmental group, said Israel, which has blockaded Gaza in its war against Palestinian Hamas militants, was to blame for the incident. Israel has not responded to requests for comment. The ship Conscience, operated by the coalition, suffered damage to its front section including a loss of power when hit just outside Maltese territorial waters in the southern Mediterranean, the NGO said. It had been waiting to take on board some 30 peace activists from around the world before trying to sail to Gaza at the eastern end of the Mediterranean to deliver food and medicines. The NGO said volunteers from 13 countries who tried to reach the ship from Malta on Friday and Saturday were intercepted by the Maltese military, which had forced them back to Malta under threat of arrest. "The humanitarian ship Conscience has been blocked in international waters since it was attacked by two drones in the early morning of May 2," the coalition said in a statement. It said Maltese authorities had also prevented the ship from putting into port to repair the damage and get help for four people aboard who it said suffered cuts and burns in the drone attack. It was the first mention of any injuries. Prime Minister Robert Abela said Malta was continuing to offer assistance to the ship, but that Malta's security needed to be safeguarded. He said the ship's captain was continuing to refuse to allow a surveyor and Malta police on board. Once it was verified that the ship's cargo was solely humanitarian, Malta would facilitate repairs so that it could continue its voyage to Gaza, Abela said. Malta has had a consistent policy of supporting Palestinian causes and last month admitted a number of injured Gaza children for medical treatment. Another NGO ship on a similar mission to Gaza in 2010 was stopped and boarded by Israeli troops, and nine activists died. Other such ships have similarly been stopped and boarded, without loss of life. Hamas issued a statement about the incident off Malta, accusing Israel of "piracy" and "state terrorism". The Maltese government said on Friday the vessel and its crew were assisted in the early hours of the morning, when the attack was reported, with a nearby tug helping put out fires. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
