Update: Did they shoot a flare at themselves?
In a development that's sure to land the voyage in the next volume of Astonishing Tales of the Sea, the flotilla carrying activist Greta Thunberg to Gaza caught fire in what the crew alleged was a drone attack.
According to multiple videos posted by members of the Global Sumud Flotilla, one of the vessels was struck by an "incendiary device" and caught fire.
But not so fast. Before long, conflicting reports began to filter in that called into question any "drone attack."
The BBC reported that the government of Tunisia (where the flotilla was anchored) denied that there was any drone activity in the area at the time:
Tunisia's National Guard spokesman told Mosaique FM radio that reports of a drone attack on the flotilla 'have no basis in truth,' Reuters reported.
He added that an initial inspection indicated the explosion originated inside the vessel.
This would not be the first time that an expedition claiming to bring aid to Gaza was the subject of controversy:
In June, Israeli forces boarded a boat carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza and detained the 12 activists on board, including Swedish activist Thunberg.
Israeli authorities escorted the activists to the port of Ashdod before deporting them from the country.
Israeli authorities have characterised the attempts to sail aid to Gaza as publicity stunts that offered no real humanitarian assistance.
Life on the high seas isn't for the faint of heart, eh, Greta?
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