A BRITISH holiday hotspot is under threat of a “major ecological disaster” as a charred Russian ghost tanker drifts dangerously close to the popular isle.
The 900ft Arctic Metagaz has been drifting crewless since it was blitzed by Ukrainian drones over a week ago.
Hole ridden and listing to one side, the tanker is currently about 50 nautical miles southwest of Malta.
Several European countries have warned an ecological threat is imminent.
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”.
They described the situation as a “dual challenge” – upholding maritime safety and preventing an ecological disaster against the background of EU sanctions imposed on Russia.
TERROR ZOMBIES
ISIS gunmen who attacked Moscow concert hall beg to fight in Ukraine
WAR WINNER
Putin rakes in $6B in oil cash from Iran war – enough to buy 17,000 drones A DAY
Russia accused Ukraine of targeting the Metagaz with “uncrewed sea drones” in the Mediterranean between Libya and Malta.
Ukraine’s SBU state security service has not commented on the allegation.
The March 4 attack was launched from the Libyan coast.
The vessel had been sanctioned by the United States and the European Union for being part of Moscow’s “shadow fleet”.
Made up of ageing tankers, the fleet transports Russian oil and gas around the world, skirting Western restrictions.
The wreck has been closely monitored by authorities in Malta and Italy fearing pollution.
Rome has said the ship was carrying “significant quantities of gas, heavy oil, and diesel fuel”.
WWF Italy warned 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.”
Adding: “The affected area is of exceptional ecological value, with fragile deep-sea ecosystems and some of the highest biodiversity in the Mediterranean basin.”
Salvage experts are already in Malta in preparation for the ship’s arrival in Maltese waters, while a specialist vessel is on its way, a maritime source told AFP on Sunday.
Initial reports said the ship had sunk after explosions triggered a fire on board the vessel.
The Libyans said the tanker sank about 130 nautical miles north of the Libyan port of Sirte.
About 30 Russians were aboard the Arctic Metagaz, Russia’s transport ministry said.
They were all found “safe and sound in a lifeboat” by Malta’s armed forces, Maltese Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri said.
But, Malta’s transport authority last week said the wreck was still afloat.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry acknowledged that the vessel was adrift in the Mediterranean and said Russia’s further involvement in resolving the situation depended on “concrete circumstances”.
Action to resolve the situation, including surveillance, monitoring and other technical support, risked “undermining the integrity, effectiveness and the deterrent value of the EU sanctions regime”.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the ship had no crew and was carrying 700 metric tons of different types of fuel and “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 wrote.
“Further involvement by the shipowner and Russia as the flag state will depend on the specific circumstances.”