Was a Gaza-bound flotilla struck by a drone?published at 10:27 British Summer Time
Joshua Cheetham
BBC Verify journalist
Two boats from the flotilla were pictured off Tunisia on Monday – Family is on the left of the picture
This morning we’re investigating reports that a Gaza-bound vessel has been hit in an apparent drone attack off the coast of Tunisia.
The Portuguese-flagged boat, called Family, is part of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) which says it wants to deliver aid to Gaza.
Among the activists onboard is the Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg. GSF said the ship was struck by a drone while anchored outside the port of Sidi Bou Said in Tunisia.
All six passengers and crew are safe, it added.
Tunisia’s National Guard spokesman told local radio that reports of a drone attack on the flotilla “have no basis in truth”, Reuters reported.
He added that an initial inspection indicated the explosion originated inside the vessel. But we’ve seen several videos which appear to show a projectile landing on the deck of the Family.
We’re analysing them further to see whether the footage is authentic and will also speak to experts to understand what this projectile might be.