All 11 Turkish citizens who were aboard the Conscience, an aid ship attacked by drones off the coast of Malta while en route to Gaza, have safely returned to Türkiye.

The Conscience is part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), an international humanitarian effort aiming to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza by delivering much-needed aid by sea. The ship was attacked by drones in the early hours of May 2, at 00:23 local time, while navigating international waters off Malta. The assault caused significant damage to the vessel, including a breach in the hull and a fire on the bow.

Initially, six Turkish citizens were repatriated shortly after the attack. On Sunday evening, the remaining five citizens—crew members of the Conscience—also returned to Türkiye via Malta, completing the return of all Turkish nationals aboard the ship. Turkish Foreign Ministry officials confirmed that all returnees are in good health.

The attack drew sharp criticism from humanitarian organizations and activists. The Times of Malta reported that a C-130 military aircraft—believed to be part of the Israeli occupation forces—circled Maltese airspace for nearly three hours prior to the drone strike, fueling concerns over premeditated military targeting of a civilian humanitarian mission.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition had organized the mission in secrecy to avoid sabotage and ensure the delivery of essential aid to Gaza, which continues to suffer under the Israeli-imposed siege. The targeting of the ship has been widely condemned as a brazen act of aggression against an international humanitarian initiative. (ILKHA)