Activist NGO ship "hit by drones" causing trouble in Malta

An international activist "NGO" accused Malta on Sunday of impeding access to a Gaza-bound "humanitarian aid" ship which it claims was bombed by two drones two days before. Malta denied the accusation, saying the crew had refused assistance.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, an international "non-governmental group", said Israel, which has blockaded Gaza in its war against Palestinian Hamas militants, was to blame for the incident, despite providing no evidence. Israel has not responded to requests for comment.

The ship Conscience, operated by the group, supposedly suffered damage to its front section including a loss of power when hit just outside Maltese territorial waters in the southern Mediterranean, the NGO said.