Arabic version: إيطاليا تصدر تحذيراً عاجلاً بشأن ناقلة روسية تائهة

A sanctioned Russian tanker, the Arctic Metagaz, is currently adrift in the Mediterranean Sea, raising significant safety and environmental concerns. According to BBC News, the vessel, which is carrying liquid natural gas, has been described as an “environmental bomb” due to a gaping hole in its hull and the absence of a crew.

The tanker was damaged in a suspected sea drone attack near Maltese waters earlier this month. Italian officials have expressed alarm over the potential for a major ecological disaster, emphasizing that the Arctic Metagaz could “explode at any moment”. It is currently floating southward towards Libya, monitored by both Italian and Maltese authorities.

The Arctic Metagaz was originally reported to have sunk, but it has been drifting since early March. It is carrying significant quantities of liquid natural gas, along with 450 tonnes of fuel oil and 250 tonnes of diesel. The vessel set sail from the Russian port of Murmansk in February and was involved in a series of explosions before the crew was rescued by the Libyan coastguard.

Environmental groups, including the World Wildlife Fund, have raised alarms about the potential consequences of a spill, which could lead to fires and long-lasting pollution in a region known for its ecological significance. The situation remains critical as the tanker continues its uncontrolled drift in the Mediterranean.