Russian ship adrift in the Mediterranean leads southern European countries to ask for a response from the EU.

Several Mediterranean countries have asked the European Union for a coordinated response to the situation of the Arctic Metagaz, a Russian ship that remains adrift in the Mediterranean after being hit by an explosion and fire in early March.

The case is increasing concern for Malta, Italy, Libya and other countries in the region, mainly because of environmental and maritime security risks. According to the information released, the ship has been dragged by winds and currents, alternately approaching areas under the influence of Libya, Malta and Italy. Authorities are monitoring the situation and maintaining contingency plans at a time when the hull shows visible damage, lists and sails very low in the water. Libya has already issued an urgent alert, warning of the risk of explosion, gas emissions and instability of the vessel, while Malta and Italy have also reinforced surveillance. Safety zones have been established around the ship and authorities are asking other vessels to keep their distance. In Italy, the situation was even described as a possible “environmental bomb”, due to the suspicion that two tanks of liquefied natural gas could remain intact.

There may also be hundreds of tons of fuel and diesel on board, which increases the risk in the event of a new explosion or leak. Faced with this scenario, the countries of the Med9 group asked the European Commission to coordinate rapid and common action. Malta guarantees to have tugboats ready, but insists on the need for a permanent international solution before the situation evolves into an environmental disaster in the Mediterranean.

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