Libyan coast guard at center of rescue-fire clashes with Sea-Watch 5; part of Libyan Navy, tasked with coastal security and anti-smuggling.
The Arctic Metagaz, part of Russia’s shadow fleet, was hit by Ukrainian drones and is now drifting toward Libya. Libyan authorities are working with Italian energy firm Eni to tow the vessel to shore, aiming to prevent environmental disaster in the Mediterranean. The tanker carries LNG and fuel, with risks of leaks and pollution.
A Russian LNG tanker, Arctic Metagaz, has been drifting in the Mediterranean since a series of explosions on March 3. Libyan authorities failed to tow it due to bad weather, raising environmental concerns. The vessel remains out of control, with risks of pollution and ecological disaster.
Sea-Watch 5 has rescued about 90 migrants and is now reporting live-fire contact with Libyan coast guard vessels north of Libya. Crew say shots were fired at close range, with orders to stop. The incident follows a pattern of NGO-vessel confrontations in the Central Mediterranean and prompts renewed scrutiny of EU-Libya migration cooperation.
The Italian coastguard has recovered bodies after a boat packed with refugees capsized near Malta. A fishing boat has rescued about 48 people, with the vessel believed to have departed from Libya. EU talks on asylum returns and new rules are unfolding as rescue operations continue amid ongoing crossings that have claimed many lives this year.