the flotilla organisers have claimed. Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) posted footage on Instagram that appeared to show the Portuguese-flagged vessel being hit by an object, and said all six passengers and crew were safe after the incident outside the Tunisian port of Sidi Bou Said.

Tunisian authorities quoted by Reuters said that reports a drone was involved "had no basis in truth", adding an initial inspection indicated the explosion originated inside the vessel. The humanitarian aid flotilla set sail from Barcelona last week, and arrived in Tunisia last Sunday. The GSF said their "Family boat" was struck in Tunisian waters, and fire had damaged the main deck. In a series of videos published to their Instagram, spokespeople for the GSF said an "incendiary device" caused a fire onboard the vessel, which the crew was able to extinguish. A spokesperson for the Tunisian national guard also told the AFP news agency "no drone" had been detected and the investigation was continuing. BBC Verify has authenticated several videos of a claimed strike on the "Family" vessel off the coast of Tunisia.

David Heathcote, Head of Intelligence at McKenzie Intelligence Services, told the BBC the nature of the impact angle in footage implies "that the object has been dropped, rather than launched or fired". "If so, it could be that a drone was used to manoeuvre over the ship before the package was released on to it," he said. "Regardless of the method of delivery, the impact video casts serious doubt on the Tunisian authorities' version of events," Mr Heathcote added. United Nations Human Rights Council special rapporteur and Tunisian resident Francesca Albanese, who was also featured in videos shared by the GSF, said that if an attack could be verified it would be an "assault and aggression against Tunisia, and Tunisian sovereignty". In a post to X, she said she was at Sidi Bou Said port and "trying to figure out the facts with local authorities". (BBC/ GLOBAL SUDUM FLOTILLA)