Tripoli: A Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker sank in the Mediterranean Sea off the Libyan coast after a series of explosions triggered a major fire on board, Libyan maritime authorities said on Wednesday. The vessel, identified as the Arctic Metagaz, was sailing from Murmansk in northern Russia to Port Said in Egypt when it caught fire late Tuesday in waters between Libya and Malta.

According to Qatar News Agency, the Libyan Ports and Maritime Transport Authority reported that the ship experienced "sudden explosions followed by a massive fire" leading to its sinking about 130 nautical miles north of the port of Sirte, within Libya's search-and-rescue zone. The tanker, measuring about 277 meters in length and carrying approximately 62,000 metric tons of LNG, issued a distress call prior to the incident.

The distress signal from the Arctic Metagaz prompted rescue efforts coordinated between Libyan and Maltese authorities. All 30 crew members on board were rescued by a nearby cargo vessel, with no serious injuries reported. The swift collaboration between the two countries' maritime authorities was crucial in ensuring the safety of the crew.