Tess Barthes / SOS MEDITERRANEE
Marseille – 16/12/2025 – After a violent attack by the Libyan Coast Guard in August which forced a four-month suspension of its operations, the Ocean Viking is about to return to sea. Despite the escalation of violence in the central Mediterranean, SOS MEDITERRANEE remains unwavering in its mission: to rescue, protect and bear witness to human rights violations at sea.
On August 24, 2025, the Ocean Viking was violently attacked by a Libyan Coast Guard patrol vessel in International waters. Hundreds of shots were fired at the ship, severely damaging our rescue ship and putting the lives of survivors and rescuers on board at risk, forcing an immediate suspension of our operations.
“This unprecedented armed attack on our rescue ship was a turning point for our operations, but our determination to save lives remains unchanged.” said Soazic Dupuy, Director of Operations of SOS MEDITERRANEE.
During the suspension period, the partially destroyed Bridge was repaired, and essential systems and equipment for our rescues were restored to full functionality. The work represented an investment of at least 130,000 euros.
Our teams have worked relentlessly to restore the vessel, to reinforce security training, and updating operational procedures to ensure a safe return to sea without compromising our rescue capacity.
Following the departure of the International Federation of the Red Cross and the Red Crecent who we have counted as a partner in this operation since 2021, SOS MEDITERRANEE is returning with a completely internalised medical and protection set up.
No accountability for the attack
Despite legal action and public denunciations, the perpetrators of the attack have not been identified and calls for accountability remain unanswered. SOS MEDITERRANEE is determined to pursue the identification of those responsible and ensure they are held accountable. Criminal complaints have been filed in Italy and France, with an additional complaint currently being finalised in Germany.
“It is unacceptable that such an attack against a humanitarian rescue ship has gone without accountability,” stated Soazic Dupuy. “Impunity fuels further violence in the central Mediterranean. Accountability is essential not only for justice, but for the safety of people in distress and all humanitarian workers operating at sea.”
Escalating violence in the central Mediterranean
Meanwhile, violence in the central Mediterranean continues to intensify, and human rights violations persist with complete impunity. Since August, further attacks have targeted other search and rescue organisations as well as people in distress.
October and November saw a sharp rise in reported deaths and disappearances in the central mediterranean with 299 reported dead or gone missing. The Ocean Viking has been prevented from being at sea when urgent rescue capacity was desperately needed.
Urgent need to sustain our rescue operations running
After a year in which budget cuts to global humanitarian aid reached unprecedented levels, it has become even more critical for SOS MEDITERRANEE to receive increased support from private donors to ensure the continuity of search and rescue operations along one of the world’s deadliest migration routes. Now more than ever, our organisation relies on public support to maintain its operations over the long term. “Every life rescued is a victory against indifference, and we will continue this mission as long as we can rely on the solidarity of our supporters,” concluded Soazic Dupuy.
