A multinational aid flotilla that includes Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has reported two incidents in Tunisian waters, both of which are under investigation after fires broke out aboard ships preparing to sail toward Gaza. The Global Sumud Flotilla, a convoy of about twenty boats carrying activists and symbolic humanitarian supplies, has been anchored in the port of Sidi Bou Saïd for several days. Organizers claim the flotilla is part of an international effort to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza, while Tunisian authorities are focused on determining the cause of the disturbances.
The first incident occurred when a vessel known as the Family Boat caught fire while docked at the port. Activists claimed the blaze began after a drone released a flaming object onto the deck, igniting equipment and forcing crew members to scramble with hoses and extinguishers. Footage circulated online appeared to show a bright object falling from the night sky and sparking flames that were quickly brought under control. No injuries were reported, but the event immediately raised concerns about the safety of the flotilla’s mission.
Roughly twenty-four hours later, a second fire was reported on the Alma, a British-flagged ship that, along with the Family Boat, has been described as one of the two “motherships” of the flotilla. Activists again attributed the blaze to a drone attack. This second incident further heightened tension around the port, which has become a gathering point for supporters, journalists, and security forces monitoring the convoy’s progress. Tunisian officials have acknowledged that both fires took place but have cautioned against drawing conclusions. Following the first blaze, local authorities suggested the flames may have started internally on the ship, rather than from an external strike, and pledged a full inquiry.
Whether Greta Thunberg herself was on board during either of the fires remains unclear. Organizers have said she is traveling with the flotilla and based on one of its larger vessels, but no reliable reporting has confirmed that she was present on deck at the time of the incidents. News agencies have consistently noted her participation in the broader mission without pinpointing her location during the outbreaks.
The incidents carry echoes of earlier confrontations at sea. In June 2025, Israeli forces intercepted a previous flotilla that carried Thunberg and other activists, ultimately detaining and deporting those involved. This history has placed added scrutiny on the current convoy, which has declared its intent to sail from Tunisia toward Gaza once conditions allow. The mission, supported by delegations from dozens of countries, aims to draw global attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the ongoing blockade.
For now, the flotilla remains in Tunisian waters under close watch. Authorities are conducting investigations into the fires, activists continue to insist they were targeted from above, and video evidence is being examined. While the broader political implications remain uncertain, what is clear is that the convoy’s attempt to leave port has already been marked by controversy and competing narratives. Thunberg’s association with the flotilla has once again thrust her into the center of an international flashpoint where questions of humanitarian aid, maritime security, and geopolitical rivalry converge.