Malta denies BFBS report that MV Triva was 'hit' by Gaddafi forces off Tripoli

The Maltese government has denied a British Forces BFBS report that the Malta flagged MV Triva which aborted an evacuation mission in Tripoli, was in fact 'hit' by hostile fire as it approached the Libyan capital's harbour yesterday.

22 August 2011, 12:00am
by Karl Stagno-Navarra

1 min read

The BFBS news service said that the warship HMS Liverpool helped the MV Triva to reach safety.

"She[HMS Liverpool] was conducting surveillance off Tripoli when she sighted a small Maltese-registered vessel which had been damaged by hostile fire while leaving Tripoli port. The vessel was under way but her steering had been impaired. HMS Liverpool passed a line to the vessel and towed her to open waters. The warship alerted the Maltese authorities to the vessel’s condition before returning to return to her duties off the coast," BFBS said.

Meanwhile, the Maltese government denied any knowledge of the boat being hit by hostile fire, although it confirmed that cannons were fired from shore and shells fell close to the boat as it was approaching harbour.

The government is closely following the evacuation operation of some 110 Maltese and other EU citizens from Tripoli and the MV Triva is expected to re-attempt to enter Tripoli today.

A number of evacuees were brought over from Tripoli yesterday with a special UN flight.

Speaking to MaltaToday, foreign minister Tonio Borg said that Malta has renewed its offer to assist any nation that requires evacuating its nationals from Libya via Malta.

The International Medical Corps (IMC) are also in the process of sending humanitarian aid to Zawiyah from Malta, and have launched an international appeal for supplies to be sent into Malta.

According to sources, the battle for Zawiyah has left many casualties who need urgent medical attention and medical supplies to be treated.