ALBAWABA- A Russian-flagged liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker caught fire in the Mediterranean Sea early Tuesday, following a suspected drone attack, according to maritime security sources.
The vessel, identified as the Arctic Metagaz, was sailing southeast of Malta toward Libya when flames and explosions were reported around 4 a.m. local time. Video footage circulating online showed the tanker engulfed in fire as smoke rose into the night sky.
Maritime security firm EOS Risk Group said the incident occurred during the ship’s eastbound transit and assessed that a drone strike was the likely cause, though no group has claimed responsibility.
A maritime patrol aircraft was seen circling the area shortly after the attack. The condition of the crew remains unclear, with some reports indicating that personnel may have been evacuated to a nearby vessel.
Israeli airstrike hits Qom during clerical body meeting to choose Iran’s next supreme leaderThe Arctic Metagaz is reportedly part of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” a network of vessels used to transport energy exports while circumventing Western sanctions imposed after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The tanker is listed under U.S., U.K., and European Union sanctions and last transmitted its position near Malta on March 2.
While speculation has emerged about possible Ukrainian involvement, drawing comparisons to previous naval drone attacks in the Black Sea and the Azov Sea, no evidence has confirmed responsibility for the strike.
The incident adds to growing maritime security risks in the Mediterranean, where ongoing regional instability and global geopolitical tensions are increasingly affecting commercial shipping routes.
