The forces of the internationally recognized Libyan government attacked the Turkish cargo ship after warning it not to ignore a ban on approaching the city of Derna, the military's spokesperson told Reuters.
Mohamed Hejazi said that before opening fire the Libyan side warned the vessel not to go near the port of Derna on the Libyan coast.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry reported earlier that its cargo vessel was en route to the Libyan port of Tobruk carrying drywall. On Sunday the ship was shelled by artillery, and when it tried to escape the danger zone it suffered an air attack.
One man died and at least one crew member was wounded.
The vessel caught fire and was being towed to the port of Tobruk, the spokesperson added.
