Alarmphone: Migrant boat shot at in Malta’s SAR zone, passengers report one dead
Distress hotline says more than 100 people, including women and children, are in distress after an alleged attack by ‘so-called Libyan Coastguard’
Updated 7.20 pm
A boat in distress carrying over 100 people was shot at in Malta's search and rescue zone, and those aboard say one person has died, Alarmphone reported.
The 24/7 distress hotline Alarmphone said on Sunday afternoon that it had been alerted to a boat carrying 113 migrants, including women and children, in distress within Malta’s SAR zone.
According to Alarmphone, those on board reported that they were being shot at by the “so-called Libyan Coastguard.”
“We are in contact with a boat in the Maltese SAR zone and people report they are being shot at by the so-called Libyan Coastguard right now! This violent attack must stop immediately. EU authorities must intervene and ensure a rescue to a place of safety!” the organisation said on social media
Alarmphone's tweet.Alarmphone also told Times of Malta that some people on board were wounded and, according to those on the boat, one person may be dead.
The organisation added that the attackers were aboard a militia vessel, which was still following the migrant boat.
By 15:45, Alarmphone said that a merchant vessel named Eco Enchanted had been alerted and that the migrant boat was continuing its journey.
According to Alarmphone, the coordinates of the migrant boat were N 34 50 000 E015 54 000 at around 13:30 CEST on October 12.
The Armed Forces of Malta and the Home Affairs Ministry have not yet verified the report; however, they were contacted for a response, but have not yet replied.
At around 7pm the organisation said the boat is moving on slowly and for now is not being attacked.