A downed aircraft drifts uncontrollably in the Mediterranean Sea Russian tanker Arctic Metagaz. It carries 900 tonnes of diesel fuel and more than 60,000 tonnes of liquefied natural gas. EU countries appealed to the European Commission because of the risk of an environmental disaster.
A threat to the Mediterranean
The Russian tanker Arctic Metagaz, hit by maritime drones, is adrift in the Mediterranean Sea without a crew. The vessel is carrying 900 tonnes of diesel fuel and over 60,000 tonnes of liquefied natural gas.
Italy, France and seven other Mediterranean countries have warned the European Commission of an «imminent and serious threat» of a large-scale environmental disaster. The ship was attacked in early March, after which the crew abandoned it.
EU response
European countries are calling on the European Commission to take immediate action to prevent fuel and gas leaks. According to Reuters, countries require a coordinated international operation.
Any accident or damage to the vessel could lead to large-scale pollution of the sea and coastline. The fate of the Arctic Metagaz tanker remains uncertain.
Context.
The Arctic Metagaz tanker was attacked by maritime drones in early March 2026. After the attack, the crew abandoned the vessel, which has been drifting uncontrollably since then.
Mediterranean countries stress that the risk of an environmental disaster is «inevitable» due to the large volume of dangerous cargo.
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