UK tourist hotspot faces ‘major ecological disaster’ in urgent warning

Malta – a beloved holiday destination – is reported to be facing a “major ecological disaster.”

A burnt-out Russian ghost tanker is understood to be approximately 50 nautical miles southwest of the island, and is drifting unmanned towards the archipelago. The vessel was struck two weeks ago by Ukrainian drones and since then, the hole-riddled 900ft Arctic Metagaz has been moving towards Malta.

And now several European countries have cautioned an ecological threat is looming. In a letter to the European Commission, seven nations said the “precarious condition of the vessel, combined with the nature of its specialised cargo” posed a “serious risk.”

These countries have characterised the situation as a “dual challenge” – maintaining maritime safety and averting an ecological disaster against the backdrop of EU sanctions imposed on Russia.

Russia alleged that Ukraine deployed “uncrewed sea drones” to strike the Metagaz in the Mediterranean Sea between Libya and Malta. The Security Service of Ukraine has not responded to the accusation.

According to Russia, the attack occurred on March 4 and was launched from the Libyan coast. The vessel had previously been sanctioned by the United States and the European Union for being part of Moscow’s so-called “shadow fleet.”

Comprised predominantly of ageing tankers, the fleet transports Russian oil and gas globally whilst circumventing Western sanctions.

Authorities in Malta and Italy have been closely observing the wreckage amid fears about possible contamination. Rome stated the vessel was carrying “significant quantities of gas, heavy oil, and diesel fuel.”

WWF Italy cautioned in a statement: “A potential spill could cause fires, cryogenic clouds lethal to marine life, and widespread and long-lasting pollution of water and the atmosphere.”

It added: “The affected area is of exceptional ecological value, with fragile deep-sea ecosystems and some of the highest biodiversity in the Mediterranean basin.”

Salvage specialists are already in Malta in readiness for the ship’s arrival in Maltese waters, whilst a specialist vessel is en route, a maritime source told AFP on Sunday.

Initial reports suggested that the ship sank following explosions which triggered a fire on board. Libyan authorities stated the tanker went down approximately 130 nautical miles north of the port of Sirte.

Around 30 Russians were aboard the Arctic Metagaz, according to Russia’s transport ministry. They were all discovered “safe and sound in a lifeboat” by Malta’s armed forces, Maltese Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri said.

However, Malta’s transport authority confirmed last week that the wreck was still afloat. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation recognised that the vessel was adrift in the Mediterranean and stated Russia’s further involvement in resolving the situation would hinge on “concrete circumstances”.

It added that attempts to manage the situation – including surveillance, monitoring and other technical support – could risk “undermining the integrity, effectiveness and the deterrent value of the EU sanctions regime”.

Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian foreign ministry, revealed the ship had no crew and was transporting 700 metric tons of various types of fuel along with “a substantial amount of natural gas”.

“The international legal norms applicable to the current situation imply the responsibility of coastal countries … for resolving the situation with the drifting vessel and preventing an environmental disaster,” Zakharova penned.

“Further involvement by the shipowner and Russia as the flag state will depend on the specific circumstances.”