After the gunfire incident, SOS Méditerranée is pursuing legal action, seeking accountability from both the shooters and European entities backing the Libyan coast guard.

Libya, a key departure point for migrants to Europe, receives EU funding, training and equipment to curb migration. Critics including Amnesty International argue this support contributes to human rights  abuses.

At the same time, debates over migration have sharpened across Europe. Rescue NGOs face growing pressure, with some governments accusing them of facilitating human trafficking rather than saving lives.