Turkish Forces Save Flotilla Participants After Their Boat Starts Sinking

Turkish authorities have launched a swift rescue operation to evacuate passengers from a humanitarian aid vessel in the Global Sumud Flotilla after it began taking on water during its voyage to Gaza, organizers confirmed Monday. The incident, which unfolded approximately 200 nautical miles southeast of Crete, highlights the perilous challenges facing the flotilla's bid to breach Israel's naval blockade amid escalating regional tensions.

The affected vessel, identified by activists as the Vida, a mid-sized support boat carrying 12 international participants, reported engine failure and hull breaches around 4 a.m. local time. Initial distress signals cited "structural damage from rough seas," though some crew members speculated sabotage, echoing prior drone incidents targeting flotilla ships. The Turkish Coast Guard, monitoring the convoy via drones and the frigate *TCG Barbaros*, responded within 45 minutes, deploying two patrol boats and a helicopter to airlift passengers to safety. All 12 individuals were rescued unharmed and transferred to the nearby Turkish-flagged supply ship Anatolia, which is shadowing the flotilla as a precautionary measure.

Thiago Ávila, a spokesperson for the Global Sumud Flotilla, praised the "exemplary" Turkish intervention in a live X update: "Türkiye's rapid response saved lives today, proof of their solidarity with our mission to deliver aid and end the siege on Gaza." The Vida was towed to a secure anchorage off the Turkish coast for inspection, with organizers vowing to repair and rejoin the convoy within 48 hours. No aid cargo, primarily medical supplies and food rations, was reported lost.

This rescue marks the latest in a series of disruptions plaguing the flotilla, which has faced sabotage, drone strikes, and diplomatic pressures since departing Barcelona on September 1. Key incidents include:

- September 8-9: An ALLEGED drone strike on the *Familia Madeira* ("Family Boat") in Tunis harbor, causing a brief fire and delaying departures.

- September 25: Explosions near vessels off Crete, attributed to drones; no injuries, but communications were jammed.

- September 27: The *Family Boat* suffered a "catastrophic engine failure" off Crete, stranding 20 aboard; 10 Italians withdrew amid government pressure, but the mission continued.

Israel has labeled the flotilla a "Hamas-linked extremist operation" and vowed to prevent any breach of its blockade, citing security threats. Organizers deny ties, emphasizing nonviolent civil disobedience. In response, 17 nations, including Türkiye, Spain, Italy, and Ireland, issued a joint statement on September 16 warning against attacks on the flotilla in international waters, pledging accountability for violations.

Spain and Italy deployed naval assets, the patrol vessel Furor and a frigate, respectively, to provide escort and potential rescue support, framing it as a "humanitarian duty" to protect citizens aboard. Türkiye's involvement, including drone surveillance since September 27, signals growing Ankara's pro-Palestinian stance under President Erdoğan, who has repeatedly condemned Israel's Gaza operations.