Years of criticism of an EU-backed migration pact between Italy and Libya are coming to a head as migrant rescuers say the Libyan coastguard has begun firing directly at them.

“Hundreds of bullets were fired during 20 terrifying minutes” in an attack “deliberately targeting crew members on the bridge… at head height”, said SOS Mediterranee, the charity running the Ocean Viking ship, in August.

Last week, German charity Sea-Watch said its rescue ship was also shot at by the Libyan coastguard using live ammunition.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government and the European Union provide funding and training to the Libyan coastguard to intercept people attempting the crossing to Europe.

The project is credited with sharply reducing the number of migrants reaching Italy via sea —

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