Italian authorities have confirmed that a damaged Russian liquefied natural gas tanker has entered Libya’s search and rescue zone, raising concerns about potential environmental and safety risks in the Mediterranean.
The Italian Civil Protection Agency said the vessel, identified as “Arctic Metagaz,” had been drifting uncontrolled for nearly two weeks before reaching waters monitored by Libya. The agency, which has been closely tracking the tanker, warned that the situation remains highly sensitive despite no confirmed gas leak so far.
Officials stressed that the most immediate concern is the risk of a gas leak, describing it as a realistic and potentially dangerous scenario. However, the exact volume of gas still onboard the vessel remains unclear. Preliminary assessments suggest that at least two storage tanks may still be intact, while there is a possibility that part of the cargo has already leaked into the sea.
The presence of the tanker in Libyan waters has heightened fears of environmental damage, particularly if any leakage occurs near key maritime routes or offshore infrastructure. Experts warn that even without a confirmed leak, the vessel’s unstable condition could lead to sudden developments, including structural failure or explosion.
Earlier reports from Russian authorities claimed that the tanker was damaged in a drone attack allegedly carried out by Ukrainian naval forces. Moscow further stated that the drones were launched from the Libyan coast, although this claim has not been independently verified.
Ukraine has not acknowledged responsibility for any such attack, and no official confirmation has been issued by Libyan authorities regarding the alleged origin of the strike.