The Digester

The Arctic Metagaz, carrying large amounts of diesel and liquefied natural gas, is drifting between Italy and Malta after an alleged drone attack left it without power, prompting emergency warnings and salvage planning.

The Arctic Metagaz was reportedly attacked by maritime and aerial drones on March 3 about 168 nautical miles southeast of Malta, and Russia has blamed Ukrainian naval drones.
The 277-meter tanker lost power and steering and is now crewless and drifting roughly 20 nautical miles off the Sicilian island of Linosa.
Authorities say it carries about 900 metric tons of diesel and more than 60,000 metric tons of liquefied natural gas.
All 30 crew abandoned ship after a fire, some sustained burns, and were rescued by the Libyan Coast Guard and taken to Benghazi.
Italy and Malta have deployed tugs and anti-pollution assets, warned mariners to stay clear, and commissioned a salvage team to assess towing or sinking options.
Conservation groups warn a spill or sinking could cause severe and possibly irreversible environmental and economic damage to the ecologically rich Pelagie Islands area.

Crewless Russian tanker drifts near Italian islands after alleged drone attack

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