Attack on Ocean Viking: Gifhorn demands consequences from the EU!

Attack on Ocean Viking: Gifhorn demands consequences from the EU!

In recent weeks, the incident involving the sea rescue ship Ocean Viking has caused a stir, especially in the Gifhorn region, where the ship became known through a fundraising campaign in 2021/22. On August 24, 2025, approximately 40 nautical miles north of the Libyan coast, the Ocean Viking came under fire from the Libyan Coast Guard for over 20 minutes. There were 87 rescued people and the crew on board. Fortunately, there were no injuries, but the damage to the ship is significant, including bullet holes and damaged rapid rescue boats. This is what they report Lünen blog and the daily news.

The crew of the Ocean Viking was on its way to Italy when the Libyan patrol boat attacked the ship. According to SOS Méditerranée's statements, the ship was fired upon without warning, while the Libyan Coast Guard claimed warning shots were fired in the air. The situation represents another clear violation of international law and adds to the long list of attacks in which the Libyan coast guard has used force against civilian rescue ships taz reported. This was the 32nd incident of this kind to date.

Political reactions and demands

The Gifhorn Green District Association has strongly condemned the attack and is consequently calling for an independent European investigation into the incident and an end to cooperation between the EU and the Libyan coast guard. Hagen Schink, spokesman for the district association, described the attack as a “moral and political scandal”, while Thomas Bollmann was also recognized for his commitment to sea rescue. The city of Gifhorn, which took over the sponsorship of the Ocean Viking in 2023, stands in solidarity with the crew and everyone who stands up for humanity and the right to life.

The Libyan Coast Guard, meanwhile, has received European funding for its operations, including as part of the Irini mission, which aims to enforce the UN arms embargo on Libya. Although the EU has now initiated an investigation into the incident, cooperation with the coast guard remains, which has been sharply criticized by numerous human rights organizations. The organization SOS Méditerranée demanded that the EU not look the other way while its co-financed coast guard threatened civilian rescue ships. The federal government has emphasized that Germany continues to not cooperate directly with the Libyan coast guard and that the Bundeswehr is not taking part in their training.

The situation in the Mediterranean

The incident not only highlights the dangers that rescue ships face in the Mediterranean, but also highlights the difficult situation faced by thousands of migrants who attempt to cross the Mediterranean every year. Tragic accidents and failure to provide assistance by responsible authorities occur again and again. An NGO document also describes the frightening reality of the use of force by the Libyan coast guard, which goes far beyond mere “warning shots”.

It remains to be hoped that the Ocean Viking incident will spark a broader debate about sea rescue and the EU's role in the Mediterranean region, and that calls for a fundamental reform of cooperation with the Libyan coast guard will be heard. The Lüneburg district, which has collected over 80,000 euros for sea rescue by the end of 2022, shows that there is also a great commitment to human assistance at the regional level - a glowing example of humanity in stormy times.