A Russian tanker is drifting unattended toward the waters near Lampedusa, carrying approximately 900 tons of diesel and two liquefied gas tanks.

The vessel, the Arctic Metagaz, 277 meters long, was heavily damaged after being struck by drones - possibly Ukrainian - during the night of March 3–4. All 30 crew members were rescued by the Libyan Coast Guard.

Departing Murmansk on February 24, the tanker, transporting roughly 61,000 tons of liquefied natural gas, lost its automatic identification system signal about 30 nautical miles off northeastern Malta. Driven by winds and currents, it is now drifting between Malta and Linosa, approximately 25–30 miles from the island, and is being monitored by the Italian Navy and Coast Guard. The Civil Protection Department is coordinating the operation to prevent environmental hazards or accidents at sea.