ISTANBUL: Turkiye helped evacuate activists aboard a Gaza-bound aid flotilla after one of the vessels broke down and began taking on water, organizers and Turkish state-run news agency Anadolu reported Monday.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, which includes Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg among its participants, departed from Barcelona earlier this month aiming to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid to the besieged Palestinian territory.
The United Nations has warned of widespread starvation in Gaza amid Israel’s ongoing military offensive.
In a statement posted on Instagram, the flotilla organizers said the mission was temporarily halted after one of the ships, Johnny M, sustained a leak in its engine room.
“All participants have been safely transferred to another vessel. Some will be reassigned to other ships, while others will be brought ashore,” the statement said.
