LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A Maltese surveyor has been allowed aboard the humanitarian vessel Conscience following a suspected drone attack, Prime Minister Robert Abela informed Parliament on Monday. In a briefing ahead of the afternoon plenary session, Abela said officials from Transport Malta and representatives of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition held discussions on Sunday to address the situation after the ship was left disabled by what activists described as a drone strike.
The Conscience, part of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla Coalition, was en route to Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid when it reportedly came under attack on Friday. The strike left the ship severely damaged, without electricity, and taking on water. Activists aboard have said the vessel is unable to navigate and in urgent need of repairs.
According to Abela, representatives of the vessel initially demanded automatic entry into Malta as a condition for allowing a Maltese surveyor aboard — a request that was refused. A second proposal, to permit a surveyor on board if the ship was allowed to enter Maltese waters, was also denied.
A third proposal involved the boarding of three unrelated individuals in exchange for the surveyor’s access, but that too was not accepted. Ultimately, the vessel’s representatives agreed to allow the surveyor aboard under conditions set by the Maltese government.
– photo Department of Information Malta –
(ITALPRESS).
