Libya announces failed towing of damaged Russian gas tanker

Libya’s Ports and Maritime Transport Authority announced on Thursday that an operation to tow a damaged Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker has failed.
In a statement, the authority said the tanker is now “completely adrift and out of control at sea due to severe weather conditions caused by a deep depression, with winds reaching 40 knots and waves up to 5 meters.”
The statement added: “We inform all ships, maritime units, and relevant authorities that the towing operation failed at 4:00 a.m. on April 2. The tanker is now out of control, and the tugboat is unable to return and reconnect under these dangerous weather conditions.”