A damaged Russian LNG tanker, Arctic Metagaz, is drifting uncontrolled in the Mediterranean Sea, raising serious concerns among European officials. The vessel, carrying large quantities of liquefied natural gas along with fuel oil and diesel, suffered major damage earlier this month and is now unmanned, with a visible breach in its structure.

Authorities in Italy have warned that the tanker poses an “environmental bomb” risk and could explode at any moment. The ship is currently moving away from Italian waters toward Libya, while officials continue to monitor its path closely. The incident is believed to be linked to a suspected drone attack, though Ukraine has not confirmed involvement. Earlier, Vladimir Putin blamed Ukraine for the attack.

Environmental groups, including the World Wildlife Fund, have issued high-alert warnings, highlighting the risk of a major ecological disaster. A potential spill or explosion could severely impact marine life and protected ecosystems in the region, making the situation both a geopolitical and environmental crisis.

Pic courtesy: google/ images are subject to copyright