Russian-Ledged LNG Tanker Ablaze in Mediterranean Sea
A sanctioned Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker, Arctic Metagaz, has caught fire off the coast of Malta and Libya, according to reports from European Pravda. The vessel was reportedly transporting LNG from Russian arctic terminals to China.
The incident marks a new episode of tension for Russia’s maritime fleet, amid international sanctions and regional conflict.
Arctic Metagaz, which reported its last position off the Maltese coast on March 2, was later involved in a fire of significant proportions in the Mediterranean Sea. The tanker operated under the Russian flag and was included on lists of sanctioned vessels imposed by the United States and the United Kingdom for commercial activities related to energy exports to China.
Investigation Underway
A source cited by Reuters stated that the vessel may have been targeted by an Ukrainian drone, although no evidence has been provided to confirm this hypothesis. As of now, the information has not been officially confirmed by independent authorities.
The Maltese Armed Forces announced they had received an urgent appeal regarding the outbreak of a fire on board the Russian tanker. Authorities dispatched naval units to the indicated area to manage the situation.
The crew was located in a rescue boat in the search and rescue region off the coast of Libya. According to official information, crew members are safe, and no casualties have been reported as a result of the incident.
The zone where the fire occurred is situated between Malta and the Libyan coast, a heavily trafficked maritime route for energy and strategic goods transportation.
Silence from Ukrainian Authorities
In the context of speculations surrounding a possible drone attack, Ukraine’s Security Service has not provided any comment to date, according to European Pravda sources.
The lack of an official confirmation leaves open the investigation into the exact causes of the fire that destroyed the Russian-ledged LNG tanker Arctic Metagaz. It is unclear whether the incident was the result of an external attack, technical malfunction, or other factors.
The Russian-ledged LNG tanker involved in the incident was listed on US and UK sanctions lists for transporting LNG from Russian arctic terminals to China.
Sanctions Impact
Sanctions aim to limit Russia’s capacity to export energy resources and earn revenue from the gas sector, amid severe economic restrictions.
The fire that destroyed the Russian-ledged LNG tanker in the Mediterranean Sea adds pressure to energy logistics chains and raises questions about maritime route security in the region.
In the absence of official conclusions on the exact cause of the fire, the investigation remains open, with maritime authorities continuing technical evaluations and investigations in the incident zone.
Original Article: Petrolier rusesc în flăcări în Marea Mediterană. Nava Arctic Metagaz, sub sancțiuni, distrusă între Malta și Libia — Bzi (Romanian) | View English Translation