Italy detains justice fleet vessel following gun threat and discovery of bodies

 Following the rescue of six people, the Italian authorities have detained the rescue vessel Sea-Watch 5 for 45 days and imposed a €7,500 fine.

 The detention is based on the so-called Piantedosi Law and the allegation that the Libyan authorities were not informed of the rescue. A recent UN report confirms that these authorities are part of a system of abductions, sexual violence and torture against people seeking protection, enabled by European actors such as Frontex.

 Following the rescue operation, the Sea-Watch crew was threatened with a firearm by unidentified Libyan actors. On 18 August, all people who had been rescued were able to disembark safely in Naples.

 Meanwhile, according to the International Organization for Migration, the number of people who have died in the Mediterranean since the beginning of the year has risen to more than 1,600. Since 4 August alone, more than 55 bodies have been found.

 This is the eighth detention of a civilian rescue vessel since the beginning of the year, significantly restricting rescue capacity on one of the deadliest migration routes in the world.

 Lisa Böhm, spokesperson for the Justice Fleet: “The Sea-Watch 5 is yet another Justice Fleet vessel to be detained following a rescue operation. While the Mediterranean remains deadly, civilian search and rescue efforts are being obstructed, and people fleeing violence face the threat of imprisonment and violence on land. As the Justice Fleet, we stand together—for human rights at sea and the right to be rescued. We will not be intimidated and will continue our work.”

 More than 70 incidents of extreme violence by Libyan actors—including the shooting at people fleeing and at rescue vessels—have been documented in the Mediterranean over the past 10 years, the majority involving the so-called Libyan Coast Guard. More than 20 such incidents were recorded in 2025 alone. On 5 November 2025, 13 search-and-rescue organizations subsequently joined forces to form the Justice Fleet alliance.

 In recent years, Italian courts have also repeatedly emphasized the life-saving role of civilian search and rescue and made clear that the so-called Libyan Coast Guard and the Libyan Maritime Coordination Centre are not legitimate actors in search-and-rescue operations.

 

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