European Union Concerned Over Russian LNG Tanker‘s Uncontrolled Movement
The European Union has expressed concern over the uncontrolled movement of a Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker, Arctic Metagaz, which is currently drifting in the Mediterranean Sea, posing an immediate risk to environmental catastrophe. According to reports from Italy, France, and seven other countries, the vessel is carrying hazardous materials, including explosive gas and toxic fuel, making its uncontrolled movement a recipe for disaster.
Tanker’s Location and Condition
The tanker is located between Malta and the Italian islands of Lampedusa and Linosa. In a letter to the European Commission, EU member states highlighted the dual problem posed by the vessel’s technical condition and the nature of its cargo, which threatens both maritime safety and the environment.
Russian Government’s Response
Russia’s Foreign Ministry has acknowledged that the tanker is being carried uncontrolledly, stating that further action will depend on “specific circumstances.” The Russian government has not commented on the incident’s cause or potential consequences. Meanwhile, Italian authorities have reported that 30 crew members were evacuated following the incident.
Previous Incident Reports
On March 3, Reuters reported that the tanker had been attacked by unknown naval drones, allegedly originating from Libya. However, Ukraine has denied any involvement in the attack and has not publicly confirmed the incident. The same day, a tweet from Special Kherson Cat claimed that the vessel was on fire off the coast of Malta and Libya.
EU Response
The European Union has called for swift action to address the situation, but member states have also acknowledged that sanctions against Russia complicate any potential technical assistance. In reports from Reuters, Arctic Metagaz is described as part of Russia’s “shadow fleet,” used to circumvent restrictions following Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine.
Environmental Concerns
The uncontrolled movement of the tanker poses a significant environmental risk, with approximately 700 tons of various fuels and a substantial volume of natural gas on board. The vessel is currently without crew, making it potentially hazardous.
Original Article: Повреден руски танкер за втечнен газ се носи неконтролируемо край италиански остров — Dariknews (Bulgarian) | View English Translation