A Russian-flagged LNG tanker under Western sanctions caught fire in the central Mediterranean early Tuesday after reported explosions. The crew abandoned the vessel.
Malta’s Armed Forces said all crew members from the ship, identified as Arctic Metagaz, were found safe in a lifeboat inside Libya’s Search and Rescue Region (SRR).
The incident happened around 0400 local time in waters between Malta and Libya, a key shipping route linking Europe to the Suez Canal.
Maritime security sources said the tanker experienced one or more explosions before flames spread across the vessel. Videos shared on social media on March 3 showed a large fire near the forward section of the ship.
The 77,551-deadweight-tonne (dwt) gas carrier briefly transmitted an Automatic Identification System (AIS) signal late Monday.
The signal placed the vessel south of Malta, moving at about 16 knots and heading for Port Said, Egypt. It was believed to be sailing east
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