Gaza-bound Flotilla carrying Greta Thunberg says struck by drone, ‘on fire’; Tunisia says ‘no basis’

However, Tunisia's National Guard spokesman told Mosaique FM radio that reports of a drone attack on the flotilla "have no basis in truth".

By: Express Web Desk

Updated: September 9, 2025 07:21 AM IST

3 min read

The flotilla group said, “The boat was under the Portuguese flag and all passengers and crew are safe. (Photo: @SuppressedNws/ Representational)

The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) for Gaza said early Tuesday that one of its main boats was struck by a drone off the Tunisian waters, but all the six passengers and crew are reportedly safe, Reuters reported. The vessel carrying climate activist Greta Thunberg is running a campaign to deliver food, water and medicine to war-torn Gaza Strip.

However, Tunisia’s National Guard spokesman told Mosaique FM radio that reports of a drone attack on the flotilla “have no basis in truth”. The spokesperson added that an initial inspection indicated the explosion originated inside the vessel.

The Portuguese-flagged boat was carrying flotilla’s steering committee and the drone attack led to fire damage to the boat’s main deck and below-deck storage, the GSF said in a statement. The Gaza-bound flotilla is also carrying Swedish activist Greta Thunberg.

An international initiative to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, the flotilla is carrying aid via civilian boats and is backed by delegations from 44 countries across the world.

Israel has imposed naval blockade on the coastal route of Gaza since militant group Hamas took control of the territory in 2007. The Israeli authorities have said that the naval blockade is in place to stop the weapons from reaching the militant group.

The Global Sumud Flotilla confirmed the attack on its boat and in a statement said, “The Global Sumud Flotilla confirms that one of the main boats, known as the ‘Family Boat’ – that was carrying GSF Steering Committee members – was struck by what is suspected to be a drone.”

The flotilla group added, “The boat was under the Portuguese flag and all passengers and crew are safe. Acts of aggression aimed at intimidating and derailing our mission will not deter us.”

Greta Thunberg had earlier led a group of 11 activists to reach Gaza via the naval route but was apprehended by the Israeli authorities and deported. Israel’s foreign ministry had then branded the boat as a “selfie yacht”.

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The Israeli authorities have since then warned that activists would be subjected to arrest if they attempted to breach the naval blockade. Greta Thunberg had earlier said, “Just across the water there’s a genocide going on, a mass starvation by Israel’s murder machine.”

(with inputs from Reuters)

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