Tunisia early Tuesday dismissed as false reports by the Global Freedom Flotilla that one of its Gaza-bound vessels caught fire after being hit by a drone strike while docked near the Tunisian capital.

In a statement carried by AFP, the National Guard General Directorate said: “Contrary to claims circulating on social media about a drone attack on the ship, these reports are baseless,” stressing there was no hostile act or external targeting.

The flotilla had earlier claimed late Monday-Tuesday that one of its boats was struck by a drone, sparking a fire onboard, before Tunisian authorities issued an official denial.