The Bourbon Argos attacked off the coast of Libya (v2)
(BRUSSELS2) We learn it now. The Bourbon Argos - one of the three ships (1) on board which MSF operates in the Mediterranean to rescue migrants - was attacked off the Libyan coast a few days ago, Wednesday (August 17) in the morning.
A suspicious ship near the coast
The Bourbon Argos was then 24 miles from the coast when it was approached and attacked by a group of armed men aboard a speedboat with no apparent sign to identify it. It was around 9:15 a.m. when the suspect star was spotted. The men on board began to fire shots in the direction of the vessel chartered by the NGO, while continuing their journey. They were then at a distance of 400 to 500 meters.
Refugees in the secure area
Given the suspicious nature of the approach (no distinctive signs, no radio communication), the alarm was very quickly given on board. The crew took refuge in the secure area inside the ship — a structure now possessed by most commercial ships accustomed to journeys in risk areas (2) —. Arrived near the ship, they boarded. " The gunmen stayed for about 50 minutes, without stealing or moving anything “We specify to the NGO. Then they left. The damage to the ship is "minimal", with nevertheless traces of firing from several bullets.
Well trained men
There were no rescued people on board that day and no crew members or MSF staff were injured. But the alert was hot. " It was a serious and disturbing attack that could have put our staff in serious physical danger. recognizes Stefano Argenziano, MSF's operations coordinator. " We don't know the identity of the attackers or their motivation. “We specify to the NGO. But their way of acting Our primary assessment of the facts shows that they were professional and well trained ».
MRCC alert
Le Italian Center maritime rescue coordination (MRCC), alerted, transmitted the information to the various forces on the spot, in particular to the EUNAVFOR ships. The German support ship, Werra (A-514), was not far from there at 11 miles from the event, and was heading towards Bourbon Argos. Two helicopters from Garibaldi, the flagship of the European operation also immediately took off to provide air cover, and above all to gather as much information as possible on possible suspicious activity in the region. In less than 20 minutes, they were in the area according to testimony. " No suspicious activity n'has been recorded “, indicated a European source to B2, when ships and helicopters reached the zone of action. A statement apparently contradicted by the testimony of another NGO
(update) A second ship targeted?
After the attack on the "Bourbon Argos", the star indeed headed for the "Sea-Eye", a ship of a German NGO. " They came very close, 0,7 nautical miles (about 1,3 kilometers) from us » testifies one of the volunteer sailors, Raphael Brodbeck to the Bale newspaper, Basel time. The intervention of the navy helicopter scared them away ". The NGO ship was then escorted out to sea by the German ship Werra. " Apparently the perpetrators [of this attack] were very professional confirms the sailor. Their goal was " to take hostages and not theft. " The three armed men who boarded the "Bourbon Argos" systematically searched the premises without taking valuables. ».
Enhanced security measures
Following this incident, an emergency meeting was held in Malta between the various NGOs present (3). With one determination: to continue to act but by learning the lessons of the incident. “These attacks could be repeated. Each organization must therefore take steps, in particular to strengthen security measures. " It is clear that we do not want to be too close to the Libyan coast, we must provide an [additional] security zone. It is also necessary to reinforce the safety rooms on the ships underlines Raphael Brodbeck.
(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)
(1) In addition to the Bourbon Argos, two other ships: the Dignité I and the Aquarius are used by MSF teams (in partnership with SOS Méditerranée). Since the start of operations on April 21, 2016, they have helped save 10.925 people in 84 rescue operations.
(2) The Company Bourbon who owns the ship is used to these attacks. One of its ships, the Bourbon Alexandre, was attacked off Nigeria in September 2010 (Read: 3 French captured near the coast of Nigeria. To be distinguished from Somalia), two years later, in October 2012, in the same area, it was the turn of the Liberty 249 to be attacked, using the same method (read: 7 sailors kidnapped off Nigeria). More recently, in the Gulf of Guinea, the Bourbon Liberty 251 was attacked quite violently on February 23 (Read: A Luxembourg ship attacked in the Gulf of Guinea. 2 hostages)
(3) Off the coast of Libya are the ships of about 10 NGOs who sometimes compete a little “in order to pick up the refugees”. It's a bit of a rescue race. Because there are challenges in the race for donations, testifies Raphael Brodbeck in the Baselzeitung.
(maj) Article updated with additional elements on the second attack attempt
