Libya`s coast guard fired upon a European humanitarian vessel while it was searching for a refugee and migrant boat in distress in the Mediterranean Sea, Al Jazeera reported, citing the non-profit SOS Mediterranee. The confrontation occurred a day earlier, about 40 nautical miles (74 km) north of the Libyan coast, SOS Mediterranee told Al Jazeera on Monday, releasing details and images of the incident. No casualties were reported, although the group said the vessel sustained significant damage.

SOS Mediterranee charters the Norwegian-flagged Ocean Viking in partnership with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The attack appeared to be one of the most violent, involving a European rescue ship and the Libyan coast guard, which receives training, equipment and funding from the European Union, Al Jazeera reported.

The patrol boat used in the attack was a 2023 gift from Italy to the Libyan coast guard as part of the EU`s border management programme, SOS Mediterranee said. Before the attack, the Ocean Viking had rescued 87 people from two boats, including many from war-torn Sudan, and was on its way to Italy. While searching for a third boat in distress, the vessel was approached by a Libyan patrol vessel in international waters, Angelo Selim, the search-and-rescue coordinator on board, told Al Jazeera.