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Six Turkish citizens aboard the "Conscience" ship, which was en route to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza when it came under a drone attack in international waters near Malta, have safely returned to Türkiye, sources from the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Tuesday.
The ministry reported that the six individuals are in good health, and efforts are ongoing, in cooperation with Maltese authorities, to ensure the safe relocation of the remaining Turkish citizens on board.
The "Conscience," operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, was struck by drones on May 2 at approximately 12:23 a.m. local time, while it was carrying humanitarian supplies to Gaza.
The attack caused significant damage to the vessel, including a hole in the hull and a fire at the bow. Fortunately, the fire was contained with the assistance of a nearby tugboat, and all 12 crew members and four civilians on board were reported to be safe, though they chose not to abandon the ship.
According to reports, before the attack, an Israeli C-130 military cargo plane was seen circling the area around Malta for several hours, which raised suspicions about the nature of the drone assault.
The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the attack, calling it a violation of international maritime law. The ministry emphasized that the attack posed a threat to freedom of navigation and maritime security in international waters.
"Necessary efforts are underway in cooperation with the Maltese authorities to ensure the transfer of our citizens to a safe location. We condemn in the strongest terms this attack on a civilian ship, which threatens freedom of navigation and maritime security in international waters," said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oncu Keceli.
There are allegations that the ship was targeted by Israeli drones. All necessary efforts will be made to uncover the details of the attack as soon as possible and to ensure that those responsible are held accountable before justice," he added.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition also held Israel responsible, demanding that Israeli ambassadors be summoned over the violations, which included the blockade and bombing of the civilian ship.
The U.N. Human Rights Office has called for an independent investigation into the attack. The office also reiterated its demand for Israel to lift its blockade on Gaza, which it regards as "collective punishment" against the civilian population.
Francesca Albanese, the U.N. Special Rapporteur for the Palestinian Territories, expressed her shock that political leaders had not condemned the attack on a humanitarian aid ship, stating, "EU leaders should condemn this act, demand an urgent investigation & urgent access to the ship, stranded in international waters."
Malta, which intervened to help contain the fire on the "Conscience," has allowed a Maltese surveyor to inspect the ship to assess its condition. Prime Minister Robert Abela confirmed that once the necessary repairs are completed, the ship will be permitted to continue its mission to Gaza.
While the ship is currently outside Malta’s territorial waters, the government has stated that the surveyor’s inspection is essential before taking the vessel into port for repairs.
Abela also confirmed that six individuals on board the "Conscience" had requested to return home. The Maltese Armed Forces facilitated their transfer to Malta, where they are expected to fly back to Türkiye.
The "Conscience" ship, operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, is part of a global initiative to break the blockade on Gaza and deliver vital humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians. The ship had been on a mission to deliver supplies to Gaza's population, which has been suffering due to Israel's blockade and recent military actions.
Greta Thunberg, the Swedish activist who was among the group, stressed the importance of continuing the mission despite the attack. "What we are doing here is to try our very best to use all the means that we have to do our part, to keep trying to break the inhumane and illegal siege on Gaza and to open up humanitarian corridors," she said.
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