Written question – Intervention by the Madleen following a Frontex distress signal – clarification of practices and responsibilities – P-002629/2025

Priority question for written answer  P-002629/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Fabrice Leggeri (PfE)

On 5 June 2025, the vessel Madleen, undertaking a private sea mission to Gaza, was apparently asked by Frontex to approach a boat of migrants in distress off the coast of Crete. According to Rima Hassan MEP, a passenger on board, the Madleen had been identified as being closest to the boat and had received a distress signal from Frontex.

Upon arrival, the vessel reportedly rescued four people who had jumped into the sea to get away from the Libyan Coast Guard, while the remaining migrants were rescued by another vessel and taken back to Libya.

In view of the above, I ask the Commission and Frontex:

• 1.Is it normal Frontex procedure to ask a civilian vessel engaged in a private or political initiative to intervene at sea, and is this practice regulated?
• 2.Can the Commission confirm the facts reported about the distress signal sent by Frontex and the Madleen’s intervention?
• 3.What is its legal and operational assessment of this chain of events, and is this situation compatible with international law, in particular the law of the sea, and with the EU’s commitments?

Submitted: 30.6.2025