A Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier has sunk in the Mediterranean Sea within Libya’s search and rescue zone after a series of explosions and a major fire, Libyan maritime authorities have said. The ship was carrying 62,000 metric tonnes of liquefied natural gas and had been sailing from Murmansk in Russia to Port Said in Egypt. Libyan officials said the vessel sank at coordinates 34°17.6’N and 017°04.0’E, about 130 nautical miles north of the port of Sirte. Earlier reports by Malta Today said a fire broke out on board the tanker south-east of Malta and off the Libyan coast. Authorities warned of possible leakage of LNG cargo or fuel from the sunken tanker, posing both fire and pollution risks.

Source: Libya Observer March 04, 2026 13:21 UTC