A nongovernmental organization (NGO) called Alarm Phone, which responds to distress calls of immigrants at sea, said Friday that a group of 110 immigrants had alerted its volunteers to report that they were threatened by gunfire from an unknown small vessel carrying the Libyan flag.
The NGO said on X that the immigrants reported at night on Friday that were chased by the Libyan-flagged boat, adding that they had tried to reach Greek waters and informed the coastguards there.
“They said one engine broke down and one person was injured by a bullet.” It added, asking all authorities who had been informed about the incident to intervene immediately to stop “this madness!”
“We lost contact to the boat carrying about 110 people, several hours ago.” The NGO said early on Saturday, adding: “We’re very concerned about this group who reported how they were shot at from a Libyan vessel chasing them. Greek, Maltese and Italian authorities are informed. Do not delay rescue, do not let them drown!”
However, the NGO said that throughout Friday night and early Saturday hours, they tried to re-establish contact to the boat in distress but to no avail. It added that authorities in Greece and Malta said that they had no information regarding this boat.
“How can 110 people simply disappear?” Alarm Phone asked?
