A human rights group operating the ship blamed a drone attack for the explosions, which caused a fire on the vessel. The crew was safe and remained on board.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition said it would like the vessel to be repaired on the island before continuing on to its original destination: Gaza. The group has blamed Israel for the drone attack on the ship.

A tug vessel puts out a fire on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla vessel Conscience outside Maltese territorial waters in this handout picture provided by Malta Government Department of Information, May 2, 2025.