Freedom Flotilla with 30 activists on board 'sinking' after drone attack

Freedom Flotilla, an activist vessel that set out to break Israel’s Gaza blockade and deliver aid to the besieged Gaza, has a “hole in the vessel” and “is sinking” after a drone attack, Yasemin Acar, a media officer with the group, has told CNN.

“We have 30 international human rights activists on that vessel at this very moment, on a vessel that is sinking,” said Acar.

The group said on X that the ship was attacked off the coast of Malta in international waters twice at 00:23 Maltese time on Friday morning (22:23 GMT on Thursday night), breaching the hull and causing a fire to break out on board.

"Maltese government has not yet responded to the #SOS signal from this civilian humanitarian vessel. Under international maritime law, Malta has an obligation to act & ensure the safety of a civilian ship in distress within its proximity," it said.

BREAKING: At 00:23 Maltese time, a #FreedomFlotilla ship was subjected to a drone attack. The front of the vessel was targeted twice, resulting in a fire and a breach in the hull. The ship is currently located in international waters near #Malta. An #SOS distress signal was sent. pic.twitter.com/J6oEQafuOb

— Freedom Flotilla Coalition (@GazaFFlotilla) May 2, 2025